Prologus Here begynneth the prologue of the storye of Thebes

Prologus Here begynneth the prologue of the storye of Thebes

Table of contents

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¶ Here begynneth the prologue of the Storye of Thebes.

Pars prima ¶ Here begynneth the Story of the destruccyon of the Lyte of Thebes

¶ Inmediate sequitur secunda pars eiusdem.

¶ Sequitur pars Tercia.

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¶ This is the Royall Cyte of Thebes.

¶ Here begynneth the prologue of the Storye of Thebes.

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THan bryght phebus passed

Phebus in Aryete

was the Ram

Myd of Aprell & in to the Bo le cam

And Satourne olde. with

Saturnus in Virgine

his frosty face

In Virgyne. taken had his place

Melencolyke. and slouth of mocyo [...]

And was also. in thopposycyon

Of Lucyna the mone. moyste and pale

Jupiter in capitecācri

That many shoure. fro heuen made auale

whan Aurora. was in the morow red

And Jupyter. in the Crabbes hed

Hath take his paleys. and his mansyon

The lusty tyme. and Joly fresshe season

whan that Flora. the noble myghty quene

The soyll hath clad. in newe tender grene

with her floures. craftely meynte

Branche & bough. with red & whyte depeynte

Fle [...]yng the baume. on hylles and on vales

The tyme in soth. whan Canterbury tales

Complet and tolde. at many sondry stage

Of estates. in the pylgrymage

Eueryche man. lyke to his degree

Some of desporte. some of moralyte

[Page]Some of knyghthode. loue and gentyllesse

And some also. of parfyte holynesse

And some also. in sothe of Rybaudrye

To make laughter. in the companye

Eche admytted. for none wolde other greue

Lyke as the Loke. the Myller and the Reue

The Loke Myller & ye Reue

Aquyte hemselfe. shortly to conclude

Boystously in her termes rude

whan they hadden. well dronken of the bolle

And eke also. with his pylled nolle

The Pardoner. beerdles all his chyn

Pardoner

Glaly eyes. and face of Lherubyn

Tellyng a tale. to angre with the Frere

As openly. the story can you lere

worde by worde. with euery circūstaunce

Echone I wryte. and put in remembraunce

By hym that was. yf I shall not fayne

Lhaw [...]er

Floure of Poe [...]es. thorugh out of all Bretayne

whiche sothly had. moost of excellence

In Rethoryke. and in eloquence

Rede his makyng. who lyst the trouthe fynde

whiche neuer shall. appallen in my mynde

But alwaye fresshe. ben in myn memorye

To whome be yeue. pryse honour and glorye

Of well sayeng. fyrste in oure langage

Lhyfe regystrer. in this pylgrymage

All that was [...]olde. forgetyng nought at all

Fayned tales. nor thyng hystoryall

[Page]with many prouerbes. dyuerse and vncouthe

By rehersayle. of his sugred mouth

Of eche thynge. kepynge in substaunce

The sentence hole. withoute varyaunce

Voydynge the chaff. sothly for to sayn

Enlumynynge. the trew pyked grayn

By crafty wrytyng. of his sawes swete

Fro the tyme. that they dyde mete

Fyrste the pylgrymes. sothly euerychon

Atte the Tabard. assembled one by oon

And fro Sothwerke. sothly for to seye

Atte the [...]a bard in sou thwerke

To Lanterbury. rydynge on her weye

Tellyng a tale. as I reherse can

Lych as the hoost. assygned euery man

Noon soo hardy. his byddynge dysobeye

The Oost

And this whyle. that the pylgrymes leye

Atte Lanterbury. well logged one and alle

I not in soth. what I may it calle

Hap or fortune. in conclusyon

That me befelle. to entre in to the toun

The holy Saynt playnly to vysyte

After my sykenesse. vowes to acquyte

In a Lope of blake. and not of grene

The discri uynge of ye monke &c.

On a palfray. Sclender. longe and lene

with Rusty brydell. made not for the Sale

My man toforne. with a voyde male

That of fortune. toke myne ynne anoon

where the pylgrimes. were logged euerychon

[Page]The same tyme. her gouernour the Oost

Scondynge in halle. full of wynde and boost

Lyche to a man. wounder sterne and fers

whiche spake to me. and sayd anone dan pers

The wordis of ye ost to ye monke

Dan domynyk. dan Godfray or Llement

Ye be welcome. newly in to kent

Though your brydell. haue nother boos ne bell

Besechynge you. that ye wyll tell

Fyrste of youre name. and what coūtre

withoute more. shortly that ye be

That loke so pale. all deuoyde of blode

Vpon youre hede. a wonder thredbare hode

well arrayed. for to ryde late

I answerde my name. was Lydgate

Lydgate monke of Burye

Monke of Burye. nye fyfty yere of age

Lome to this towne. to do my pylgrymage

As I haue hyght. I haue there of noo shame

Dan Johan qd he. well brouke ye your name

The wordis of ye ost

Though ye be sooll. byth right glad and lyght

Prayeng you to suppe. with vs this nyght

And ye shall haue made. at your deuys

A grete poddynge. or a rounde hagys

A fraunche moyse. a tanse or a Froyse

To ben a monke. sclender is your coyse

ye haue ben syke. I dare myne hede assure

Or lette fede. in a faynt pasture

Lyfte vp your hede. be glad take noo sorowe

And ye shold home ryde. with vs to morowe

Pars prima ¶ Here begynneth the Story of the destruccyon of the Lyte of Thebes

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SIrs quod I. syth of your curtesye

I entred am. in to your cōpanye

And admytted. a tale for to telle

By hym that hath. power to compelle

I mene oure Ost. gouernour & guyde

Of you echone rydynge. here besyde

Though that my wytt. bareyn be & dulle

I wyll reherse. a story wounderfulle

Towchynge the Syege of destruccyon

Of worthy Thebes. the myghty royall toun

Bylte and begonne. of olde antyquyte

Vpon the tyme. of worthy Josue

By dylygence. of kynge Amphyon

Lheef cause fyrste. of his foundacyon

For whiche his fame. whiche neuer shall awaye

In honour floureth. yet vnto this daye

And in story remembred. is and preysed

But how the walles. were on heyght reysed

It is wonder. and meruayle for to here

But yf ye lyste. I shall you platly lere

The maner hole platly in sentence

Vnder supporte. of your pacyence

As wryte myn auctour. & Bochas bothe two

Rede her bookes. and ye shall fynde it so

[Page]Eueryche conclude. lyche as his fantasye

And thus full ofte. gendred is enuye

In folkes hertes. of soleynce and pryde

For suche as lyste not. ones to loke asyde

To rewarde hem. whan they lowe lou [...]e

And agayne kynde. it is oute of doute

That ony hede. by recorde of the wyse

How ye poure peple supportē & be ren vp ye state of a k [...]g

Sholde the fote of dysdayne despyse

whiche bereth hym vp. who soo can take hede

And susteyneth. in his moost nede

As his pyler. and his suppoayle

For fynally. ne were the porayle

Her berer vp. and supportacyon

Fare well lordshyp. and denomynacyon

Thorugh oute the londe. of euery hygh estate

wherfore me semeth. more is fortunate

Of Marcurye. the swete sugred harpe

Than Mars swerde. whettyd kene and sharpe

More accepted. with aspectes good

Than is this god. with his lokes wood

Nota What the goodlihede of a prynce auaileth to wyne ye her [...]is of his peple

For humble speche. with glad contenaūce

Maye a prynce. shortly auaūce

Among his people. hertes for to wynne

Of Inwarde loue. whiche wyll not twyne

Than golde. rychesse. pryde or tyrannye

Other dysdayne. daungere or surquedye

Or of lordes. clerkes can reporte

But that loue. her crowne doo supporte

[Page]The fyne is not. in conclusyon

Ensample of kyng ā phyon

I take recorde. of kyng Amphyon

That bylte Thebes. by his eloquence

More than of pryde. or of vyolence

Noble and ryche. that lyke was nowhere none

And thus the walles. made of lyme and stone

were reysed fyrste. by syngynges of this kyng

Lyke as poetes feynen. in her wrytyng

But sothly yet. some exposytours

How after thopynyon of som auc tours Cad mꝰ bylded fyrst ye cyte of Thebes

Groundyng hem. vpon olde auctours

Sayen that Cadmus. the famous olde man

Full longe afore. the Cytee fyrste began

And the grounde. of byldyng sette

And the bondes. by compas oute mette

with thong oute kerue of a bolys syde

whiche enuyron. stretche myght wyde

To gette in londe. a full large space

How the cō tre of boece toke fyrste his name of a bolyskyn & aftir callid The bes How kyng cadmꝰ was exyled oute of Thebes by the ꝓwesse of kyng Amphyon

where vpon to bylde. a dwellyng place

And called was. the soyle thus getten yn

whylom Boece. of the bolys skyn

The name after. in to Thebes tourned

But Cadmus. hath not there longe soiourned

Lyke in story. as it is compyled

For shortly. he fro thennes was exyled

Neuer after. for to dwell in the town

By the knyghthode. of this Amphyon

whiche vp perfourmeth. ryche for the nones

The Cytee Thebes. of myghty square stones

[Page]As I you tolde. a lyte here to forne

And Cadmus thus. his kyngdom hath lorne

Sceptre and crowne. and his power royall

Now haue I tolde. vnto you grounde of all

That ye well knowe. by Informacyon

Clerely the pyth. and thexposycyon

Of this mater. as clerkes can you tell

It were but vayne. lenger for to dwell

To tarye you on this mater

Syth my tale. whiche that ye shall here

Vpon oure waye. wyll laste a longe whyle

The space in sothe. as I suppose of an myle

And now ye knowe. fyrste how Amphyon

Bylte and began this Cyte and this town

Regnyng there. longe after as I rede

Of hym nomore. for I wyll procede

How the ly [...]e of aphy on by ducet was cō [...]ey e [...] vnto k [...] ge Layus

To my purpos. that I fyrste began

Not tellyng here. how the lyne ran

Fro kyng to kyng. by successyon

Conueyeng doun. by the stoke of Amphyon

Ceryously by lyne. all the dyscente

But leue all this. playnly of entente

To telle forth. in bokes as I rede

How Layus. by processe gan succede

To bere the crowne. in this myghty londe

Holdyng the scepture. of Thebes in his honde

kyng Layꝰ & [...]ocasta his wyfe

Manly and wyse. duryng all his lyfe

And Jocasta. called was his wyfe

[Page]Full womanly. the story sayth certeyn

For a tyme. though she were bareyn

Tyll layus. in full humble wyse

To haue a childe. dyde sacrefyce

Fyrste to Appollo. in his chare soo bryghte

And Jubyter. that hath soo grete a myghte

Besechynge hem. with deuoute reuerence

To graunte oonly. through her influence

That his request. executed maye be

And specyally. to goddesses thre

He besoughte. Pallas and Juno

And Dyane. for to helpe also

That he be not defrauded. of his boone

And his prayer accepted. was full soone

That fynally. thorugh his rytes olde

Euen lyke. as his herte wolde

The quene Jocasta. hath anone conceyued

whiche whan the kynge. fully hath perceyued

He made in haste. hym lyste not to abyde

Thorugh his kyngdome. messengers ryde

Fro coost to coost. the story can deuyse

For dyuyners. and philosophers wyse

For suche as werne. famous physycyens

And well experte. Astronomyens

To come in haste. vnto his presence

To fynde oute. shortly in sentence

By crafte oonly. of calculacyon

How the astronomyēs & the phylosophers of thebes calked out the fayt of edippus

The childes fate. and dysposycyon

[Page]And therupon. to yeue a Jugemente

The rote I take. atte ascendente

Trewly sought oute. by mynute and degree

The selfe houre. of his natyuytee

Not for yet. the heuenly mansyons

Clerely serched. by smale fraccyons

Fyrste by secondes. teers. and eke quartes

On angrym stones. and on whyte cartes

I preued oute. by dylygente laboure

In tables correcte. deuoyde of all erroure

Justly sought. and founde oute of bothe two

The yeres collecte. and expanse also

Consydred eke. by good inspeccyon

Euery houre. and constellacyon

And eche aspecte. and loke eke dyuers

whiche were good. and whiche also peruers

where they were towarde. or at debate

Happy welfull▪ or infortunate

And fynally. in conclusyon

Nota the cursed cōstella cōn & indis [...]osi cōn of heuē in ye nat [...]y te of edippꝰ Nota How ye face of edyppus dysposed yt he shold sle his owne fader

They founde Saturne. in the Scorpyon

Heuy chered. malencolyke and lothe

And wood Mars furyous and wrothe

Holdynge his septure. in the Caprycorne

The same houre. whan this childe was borne

Venus dyrecte. and contraryous

And depressyd in Marcuryus hous

That the dome. and Jugemente fynall

Of thees clerkes. to speke in specyall

[Page]By fatall sorte. that may not be withdrawe

That with his swerde. his fader shall be slawe

There maye no man. helpe it nor excuse

On whiche thynge. the kynge gan sore muse

And caste he wolde. on that other syde

Agayne her dome. for hymselfe prouyde

Shape awaye. and remedye toforn

Byddyng the quene. whan the childe were born

withoute mercy. or moderly pyte

That he be dede. it maye none other be

And in all haste. lyke as he hath sente

She obeyed. his commaundemente

with wofull herte. and pyteous loke

And face pale. her yonge sone she toke

Tendre and grene. bothe of flesshe and bones

To certayne men. ordeyned for the nones

Fro poynte to poynte. in all maner thynge

To execute. the byddynge of the kynge

They durste not. delaye it nor abyde

But to a foreste. that stode ferre besyde

They toke her waye. and fast gan hem spede

The kynges wyll. to perfourme in dede

Hauynge therof. passynge heuynesse

But whan that. they behelde the fayrenesse

Of the childe. and excellente beaute

In her herte. they hadde grete pyte

And playnly caste. amonge hem was no stryfe

That the childe. sholde haue his lyfe

[Page]And anone. full hyghe vpon a tree

In a place. that noo man myghte see

They henge hym vp. the story can reherse

But fyrste his fete. thorugh they gan to perse

And on bowes tender. towgh and smale

They knette hym vp this noo tale

Hym to preserue. fro bestes wylde and rage

And after that. taken her vyage

Towarde Thebes. in all the haste they maye

But of fortune. thylken same daye

with her houndes. serchynge vp and down

The hunters wente. of kynge polybon

Through the foreste. game for to fynde

Some aforne. and some come behynde

And gan serche. and seke wounder sore

Amonge the hylles. and the holtes hore

And as the reenge. the trenches by and by

how the hū ters of kynge polybon fonde ye childe in ye foreste & present hym vnto the kynge

They harde a noyse. and a pyteous cry

Of this childe. hangynge on this tree

And all atrones. drowe it for to see

And lefte not. tyll they haue hym founde

And toke hym downe. and his feet vnbounde

And bare hym home. vnto polybon

Lrynge of Archadye. the famous regyon

And whan that he. fyrste the chylde gan see

Of his woundes. he hadde grete pytee

To beholde. his tender fete blede

And called hym. Edyppus as I rede

[Page]whiche is to seyn. platly this noo phage

Bored the fete. as in that langage

And fyrste the kynge. in his royall halle

Made his men. a nouryce for to calle

This yonge childe. to fuster and to kepe

with her mylke. that he nought wepe

And his leches. he charged eke also

Tyll he were hoole. her deuoure for to do

Fully in purpose. for the childe was fayre

After his daye. to make hym his heyre

For cause oonly. who soo taketh hede

Sone hadde he none. by lyne to succede

And where that he hadde. a wyfe or none

I fynde not. and therfore let it gone

But by processe. of dayes and of yeres

This Edyppus. amonge his playeng feres

was in his porte. passynge full of pryde

That none. with hym myghte in peas abyde

I herte he. was soo inly surquidous

Malencolyke. and contraryous

Full of despyte. and hygh dysdayne

That no wyght durst. shortly hym with sayne

Tyll on a daye. he gan with one debate

To whome he hadde. specyally grete hate

whiche of rancoure. and of hasty tene

As he that myghte. his pryde not sustene

Gan vpon hym. truely abrayde

And vnto hym. felly thus he sayde

[Page]wherto quod he▪ arte thou soo proude of porte

Lontrarye euer also in oure dysporte

Frowarde and felle. lastynge euer mone

As thou were lorde. of vs euerychone

And presumeste. fully in worchynge

Lyke as thou were sone vnto the kynge

And descended. of his royall blood

But where soo be. thou be wrothe or wood

Thou arte nothynge. and thou lyste take hede

Apperteynynge. vnto his kynrede

But in a foreste. founden and vnknowe

whan thou were yonge. the▪ fore bere the lowe

And vtterly. remembre yf the lyste

Thy byrthe and blood. are both twoo vnwyste

This is the fyne. shortly of my tale

wherwith Edyppus. gan to waxe pale

And chaunge also. chere and coūtenance

And gan a poynte. in his remembrance

worde by worde. and feyned righte noughte

And felly to muse. in his owne thoughte

And caste he wolde. withoute more taryenge

The trouthe enquere. of Polybon the kynge

And whan he sawe. oportune space

And the kynge. in syker place

He hym besoughte. lowly on his knee

To his requeste. benygnely to see

And that he wolde. playnly and not spare

Of his byrthe. the trewe trouthe declare

[Page]And make hym sure. of this thynge anone

Yf he were his verray sone or none

And Polybon. oonly of gentylnesse

whan he behelde. the grete heuynesse

Of Edyppus. and the wofull payne

He gan dyssymule. and in maner fayne

Lyke as he hadde be. verrely his heyre

But more and more. he falleth in dyspeyre

And downe on knees. efte ayen gan falle

Hym coniurynge. by the goodes alle

To telle trouthe. and noo thynge to hyde

Affermynge eke he wolde not abyde

Lenger with hym. but ryden and enquere

Tyll tyme he maye. the verray sothe here

In ony parte. of happe or of fortune

And for that he. was soo importune

In his desyre. the kynge withoute abode

Leryously▪ tolde how it stode

In a foreste fyrste. how he was founde

Vpon a tree. by the feet I bounde

And how he caste. in conclusyon

To make hym kynge. of that regyon

After his daye. shortely for to telle

But Edyppus. wyll noo lenger dwelle

But to ke leue. and in haste gan ryde

To a temple. faste there besyde

Of appollo. in story as it is tolde

whoos statu. stode in a chare of golde

[Page]On wheles foure. burned bryghte and shene

And within. a spyryte full vnclene

By fraude oonly. and false collusyon

And answere gafe. to euery questyon

Bryngynge the people. in full grete erroure

Suche as to hym. dyden false honoure

By ryghtes vsed. in the olde dawes

After custome. of paganymes lawes

And Edyppus. with full humble chere

To Appollo. made his prayere

Besechynge hym. on his knees bowe

By some sygne. that he myghte knowe

Thorugh euydence. shortly comprehendeth

Of what kynrede. he was descendeth

And whan Edyppus. by grete deuocyon

Fynysshed hathe. fully his oryson

He founde anone. wymmen Inuysyble

with a voyse. dredfull and horryble

Bade hym in haste. taken his vyage

Towarde Thebes. wherof his lynage

He heren shall. and be certefyed

And on his waye. anone he hathe hym hyed

By hasty Journaye. & so his horse constreyned

Daye by daye. tyll he hathe atteyned

Vnto a castell. Pylotes I called

Ryche and stronge. and well aboute walled

Adiacente. by syght of the countree

And perteynente. to Thebes the cytee

[Page]Lrynge Layus. beynge there presente

For to holde. a manere tornemente

with his knyghtes. yonge and curyous

And other folke. that were desyrous

To preue hemselfe. shortely for to telle

who by force. other myghte excelle

Or gette a name. thorugh his hye prowesse

Eche of hem. dyde his besynesse

On horse backe. and also eke on fote

All be that some founde all vnsote

Rather applye. of werre than of pees

where Edyppus. putte hymselfe in prees

As he that was ay redy to debate

Enforsynge hym. to entren in atte gate

Maugre all tho. that hym wolde lette

And in the prees. of auenture how he mette

How edyppus slough his fad a [...] a castell

Lrynge Layus. and cruelly hym slowe

Though the story. wrytte not the maner howe

Ne noo wyghte. can of all the companye

By noo sygne. verely espye

By whos hande. that the kynge was slawe

For Edyppus in haste gan. hym withdrawe

And kepte hym coye. of entencyon

Grete was the noyse. and the pyteous soun

In the castell. for slaughter of the kynge

Dooll and complaynte. sorow and wepynge

But for they see. heuynesse and thoughte

Agaynste dethe. vayleth lytell or noughte

[Page]They ordeyne. with Rytes full royall

For the feste. called funerall

And lyke the custome. of the dayes olde

The cors they brente. in to asshes colde

And in a vessell. rounde made as a balle

They closed hem. in golde and in metalle

And after that dyde hyr besy cure

An Thebes. to make a sepulture

And rychely. hem lyste noo lenger lette

The asshen dyde they. enclose and shette

Of this mater. there is noo more to seyne

But to Edyppus. I wyll tourne ayene

whiche hym enhasteth ay fro daye to daye

Towerde Thebes. in all that euer he maye

Brennynge in herte. hote as ony fyre

The fyne to knowe. of his fatall desyre

But for that he fayled. of a guyde

Oute of his waye. he wente fer besyde

Thorugh a wyloe. and a waste countree

How edyppꝰ went by ye hylle where ye mōstre lay yt called was spynx

By a montayne that stode vpon the see

where that monstres. of many dyuerse kynde

were conuersante. in story as I fynde

Amonge whiche. sothly there was one

Soo Inly cruell. that noo man durste gone

For drede of dethe. forthe by that passage

This monstre. was soo mortall in his rage

The des [...] cōn of yt fou le monstre

whiche hadde also. by descrypcyon

Body and feet. of a fers lyon

[Page]And lyke a mayde. in sothe was hede and face

Fell of his his loke. and cruell to manace

And odyous. of contenaunce and of syghte

And as I rede. Spynx this monstre hyghte

worse than Tygre. Dragon or Serpente

And I suppose. by enchauntemente

He was ordeyned. on the hylle to abyde

To slewe all tho. that passeden besyde

And specyally. all that dyde fayle

To expowne. his mysty dyuynayle

His probleme eke. in wordes playne and bare

withoute a mysse. openly declare

Or with the lyfe. he myghte not escape

This is berray sothe. platly and noo Jape

And yf that he. by declaracyon

Gaaf there vpon. clere exposycyon

He sholde in haste. there was none other meane

Slee this monstre. for all his cruell teane

There may of mercy. be none other graunte

But for all this. Edyppus ignoraunte

This dredfull hylle. standynge on a Roche

Or he was ware. full nye gan aproche

More perlous platly. then he wende

And sodeynly the monstre gan descende

To stoppen his waye. and letten his passage

Thus abraydynge. with a fell corage

I haue in herte. Inly grete dysporte

That fortune hathe broughte the. to my sorte

[Page]To make a preste. yf thou mayste endure

The fatall ende of this auenture

Sette atte a fyne. sothely by dayes olde

And by and by. all the caas hym tolde

Chargynge hym. to be well ware and wyse

Gette the palme. and bere awaye the pryse

Thouchynge this thyng. set atwene vs twey [...]

with lyfe or deth. whiche we shall dareyn

And this monstre. with a despytous chere

His probleme. gan thus. as ye shall here

There is a beest. merueylous to see

Of the probleme that spynx putt to edyppus

The whiche in sothe. atte his natyuytee

Is of his myghte. soo tender and soo grene

That he maye not. hymselfe sustene

Vpon his fete. though he hadde it sworne

But yf that he be. of his moder borne

And afterwarde. by processe of age

On foure feet. he maketh his passage

After one. thre. yf I shall not fayne

And alderlaste. he gooth vpryghte ontwayne

Dyuerse of porte. and wonderfull of cheres

Tyll by lengthe. of many sondry yeres

Naturelly. he gooth ayen on three

And syth on foure. it may none other bee

And fynally. this is the trouth playne

He retorneth. kyndely agayne

To the mater. whiche that he came fro

Loo here is. all my probleme doo

[Page]Muse here vpon. withouten werre or stry [...]e

It to declare. or elles lese thy lyfe

And whan Edyppus. gan this thynge aduerte

well assured. in his manly herte

Gan in his wytte. serchen vp and downe

And of prudence. caste in his reasone

By grete auyse. what this thynge maye be

Seenge also. that he maye not fle

And how there was. counseyll none nor rede

But telle trouth. or elles to be dede

And by full goode delyberacyon

Thus he answered. in conclusyon

Thou Spynx quod he. fals and fraudulente

Thou fowle monstre. thou dragon yu serpente

That in this hylle. lyche as I conceyue

Lyeste in a whayte. folkes to deceyue

But truste well. for all thy sleyghty wytte

Thy false fraude. shall anone by quyte

Me lyste not now. whysper nether rowne

But thy probleme. anone I shall expowne

Soo openly. thou shalte not goo ther fro

Loo thus it is. take good hede ther to

Thylke beste. thou spake of her beforne

How edyppus expow ned ye ꝓbleme yt spynx put to hym

Is euery man. in this worlde borne

whiche maye not gon. his lymmes be soo softe

But as his moder. beryth hym a lofte

In her armes. whan he dooth crye or wepe

And after that. he gynneth for to crepe

[Page]On foure fete. in his tender youthe

By experyence. as it is ofte couthe

A forne I rekened. his handes bothe two

And by processe. thou mayste consyder also

with his twoo fete. for all thy felle tene

He hath a staff. hymselfe to sustene

And than he gooth. shortly vpon three

And alderlaste. as it muste nedes be

Voydynge his staff. he walketh vpon tweyne

Tyll it soo be. thorugh age he atteyne

That luste of youthe. wasted be and spente

Than in his honde. he taketh a potente

And on thre fete. thus he gooth agayne

And I dare afferme. yu mayst it not withsayne

And soone after. thorugh his vnweldy myght

By influence. of natures ryght

By experyence. as euery man maye knowe

Lyche a childe. on foure. he [...]repeth alowe

And for he maye. here noo whyle soiourne

To erthe agayne. he muste in haste retourne

whiche he come fro. he maye it not renue

For in this worlde. noman maye eschewe

This verraye sothe. shortly and noo doughte

whan the whele of kynde. comyth aboughte

And naturelly. hath his cours ronne

By cyrcuyte. as dooth the shene sonne

That man and childe. of hye and lowe estate

It gayneth not. to make more debate

[Page]His tyme sette. that he muste fyne

whan Antropos. of malyce dooth vntwyne

His lyues [...]hred. by Cloto fyrste compowned

Loo here thy probleme. fully is expowned

Atte oure metynge. as I toke on honde

To the lawe. that thou muste nedes stonde

And in all haste. of myne hondes deye

But of reason. thou can it ought with seye

And soo this spynx. a wapyd and amate

Stode dysamayed. and dysconsolate

with chere done caste. muyte pale and dede

And Edyppus. anone smote of the hede

Of this fende. stynkynge and vnsw [...]te

And the countree. sette holy in quyete

wherby he hathe. suche a pryse I wonne

That his fame. is euery coste yronne

Thorugh all the londe. yt he the monstre hathe slawe

And lyne righte. to Thebes he gan drawe

well receyued. for his worthynesse

For his manhode. and his righte prouesse

And for they see. he was a semely knyghte

well fauoured. in euery mannys syghte

And sawe also. Thebes the myghty towne

Not oonly they. but all the regyone

werne destytute. of a gouernoure

Avens her foon. hauynge noo socoure

Hem to defende. but the quene allone

Amonge hemselfe. makynge full grete mone

[Page]For there was none. as bookes specyfye

The Septure or crowne. for to occupye

For whiche the lordes. all by one assente▪

within the towne. sette a parlyamente

Shortly concludynge. yf it myghte bene

Prudently to treate. with the quene

Namely they that. helde hemselfe moost sage

To condyscende by waye of maryage

She to be Joyned. to this manly knyght

Passynge prudente. and famous eke of myght

Moost lykely man. as they can dyscexne

The worthy Cyte. to kepen and gouerne

And thorugh counseyll. of the lordes alle

To her desyre. playnly she is falle

And corded. withoute more taryeng

That of Thebes. Edyppus shall be kyng

By full assente. was none that sayd naye

And tyme sette. agayne a certayne daye

Amonge hemselfe. and fynaly dyuysed

The weddynge was in Thebes solempnysed

Full ryally. with nedes moost vnthryne

Oonly for he is. moder toke tho wyne

Vn [...]yst of bothe. he was of her blode

And Ignoraunte. shortly how it stode

That he tofore. hadde his fader slawe

For whiche this weddyng. was agayn the lawe

And to [...]ore god. is nother fayre ne good

Nor acceptable. blood to touche blood

[Page]whiche cause hathe be. of grete confusy [...]

In many londe. and many Regyon

Grounde and rote. of vnhap and meschaunce

The fyne concludynge. alwaye in vengaunce

As men haue seen. by clere experyence

And holy wryte. recordeth in sentence

How herodes. falsly in his lyfe

Vyolence. toke his brothers wyfe

For she was fayre. and pleasaunte to his syght

And kepte her styll. by force thorugh his myght

All be to her. tytle hadde he noon

And for her sake. the holy man saynt Johon

For his trouthe. in pryson loste his hede

Therfore I rede. euery man take hede

where soo he be. prynce lorde or kynge

That he be ware. to eschewe suche weddynge

Or that the swerde. of vengaunce of manace

Leste he lese happe. fortune and grace

Takynge ensample. in all maner thynge

Of Edyppus. in Thebes crowned kynge

All be that he wroughte of ignoraūce

Full derke and blynde. of his wofull chaūce

And yf vnwyste. he of Innocence

As ye haue herde. fylle in suche offence

For whiche he was punysshed and brought low

what ar they worthy that her errour know

And fro the knotte. lyste not to abstene

Of suche sponsayle. to god and man vnclene

[Page]I can not seen. nomore therof deuyse

Demeth youre selfe. that prudente ben & wyse

And Edyppus. haue amonge in mynde

Of whom the weddyng. lyke as ye may fynde

Vnhappy was. and passynge odyous

Infortuned. and vngracyous

I am wery. and therof more to wryte

The hatfull processe. also to endyte

I passe ouer. fully of entente

For Imynens. was not there presente

Nor Lucyna. lyste not therto shyne

Ne there was none. of the musys nyne

Of oure accorde. for to make melodye

For they songe not. by heuenly Armonye

Nother Clyo. nor Calyope

One of the sustren. in nombre thryes thre

And they dyde. whan Phylogye

Ascended vp hye. aboue the skye

To be wedded. this lady vertuous

Vnto her lorde. the god Marcuryus

As Marcyan I named. de Capelle

In his booke of weddynge. can you telle

There concludynge. in this maryage

The Poete. that whylom was soo sage

That this lady. called Sapyence

I wedded was. vnto Eloquence

As it sat well. by heuenly purueaunce

Hem to be Joyned. by knotte of alyaunce

[Page]But bothe twoo. sothly of entente

Atte weddynge. in Thebes were assente

That caused after. grete aduersyte

For fynall ende. of that solempnyte

was sorowe. and woo and destruccyon

Vter ruyne. of this royall toun

There may noo man. helpe it ne socoure

For a tyme in Joye. though they floure

But atte weddynge. platly for to telle

The infortunat follr yt were atte edippꝰ weddyng. Cerberꝰ herebz Noye with her iii doughters drede fraude Trecherye treson poū te Indygence nede dethe & cruell Mars

was Cerberus cheef porter of helle

And herebus. fader to hatrede

was there presente. with his hole kynrede

His wyfe also. with her browes blake

And her doughter. sorowe for to make

Hydous chered. and vggely for to see

Megera. and Thesyphonee

Allecto eke. with laboure and enuye

Drede and Fraude. and false Trecherye

Treson Pouerte. Indygence and Nede

And cruell Dethe. in his rente wede

wretchednesse. complaynte and eke rage

Ferfull pale. derkenes croked age

Cruell Mars. as ony tygre wood

Brennynge yre. of vnkynde blood

Fraternall hate. depe sette the rote

Saaf oonly dethe. that there nas noo bote

Assured othes. atte fyne vntrewe

All thise vnthryfty people were at ye weddyng of Edyppꝰ & Jocasta

Alle these folke. were atte this weddynge newe

[Page]To make the towne. desolate and bare

As the story. after shall declare

But ay in Thebes. with his walles stronge

Edyppus regnyth. many daye and longe

And as myne auctoure wryte. in wordes playne

By Jocasta. he hadde sones twayne

Ethyocles. and also Polymyte

And in bookys. as soundry clerkes wryte

Doughters twoo. full goodly on to see

Of the whiche. one hyghte Antygonce

And that other. called was I meyne

Off hir beaute. inly souereyne

Edyppus ay deuoyde. of werre and stryfe

with Jocasta. ladde a mery lyfe

Tyll fortune. or his iniquyte

Hadde enuye. of his prosperyte

For whan he shone. moost riche in his renoune

Fro her whele. she plonged hym adoune

Oute of his Joye. in to sondayne woo

As she is wonte. frowardly to doo

And namely hem. that setten her affyaunce

On erthly truste. in her varyaunce

For whan this kynge. passyng of grete myghte

Sate with the quene. vpon a certeyne nyghte

Casuelly whan his folke echone

Oute of his chambre. sodeynly were gone

Or he was ware. Jocasta gan beholde

The carectes of his woundes olde

[Page]Vpon his feet. enprented woundes depe

Tournynge her face. brast oute for to wepe

Soo secretly. he myghte it not aspye

And she anone. felle in to a fantasye

Ay on this thynge. musynge more and more

And in her bedde. gan to sygh sore

And whan the kynge. conceyued her dystresse

He gan enquere. of her heuynesse

Fully the cause. and occasyon

For he wolde wyte. in conclusyon

what her eyleth. and why she ferde soo

My lord quod she. withoute wordes moo

Parcelle cause. of this sodeyne rage

Is for I in my tender age

Hadde a lorde. I named Layus

Lrynge of this towne. a man right vertuous

By whome I hadde a sone. wonder fayre

Lykely to haue ben his. successour and heyre

But by cause. his dyuynours tolde

Atte his byrthe. sothly that he sholde

Yf he haue lyfe. by fatall destenye

Slee his fader. it myghte none other be

For whiche the kynge. his face to eschue

Badde me in haste. as hym thoughte due

To slee the childe. and haue therof noo routhe

And I anone badde. withoute slouthe

To certayne men. vpon payne of Jugemente

To excecute. the commaundemente

[Page]Of the kynge. as I gaaf hem in charge

And forthe they gone. to a foreste large

Adiacente to this countree

Percen they his feet. and hangynge on a tree

Not perfourmynge. the execucyon

On hym they. hadde suche compassyon

Lefte hym there. and home resorte agayne

Beynge in doubte. and in none certayne

Atte her repayre. as they tolde alle

Of this childe. what afterwarde is befalle

Saaf they sayde. hunters haue hym founde

whiche lad hym forthe. and his feet vnbounde

But to what coste. they coude not declare

whiche percell is of. myne euell fare

Grounde and cause. of myne heuy chere

Consydered eke. the woundes that appere

Vpon youre feet. and wote not what they mene

And one thynge is. ay atte myne herte grene

My lorde alas. but of newe date

Lrynge Layus. slayne was but late

Atte a castell. nye by this countree

Vpon youre comynge. in to this Cytee

Alle this I wayed. and rekened in to one

Makynge myne herte. heuy as ony stone

Soo that I can counseyle. none ne rede

And with yt worde. the kynge lyfte vp his hede

And abarayed. with sharpe syghes smerte

And all this thynge. by ordre gan aduerte

[Page]Ceryously. by good aduysemente

And by sygnes. clere and euydente

Conceyueth well. and sore gan repente

It was hymselfe. that Jocasta mente

And whan ye quene. in maner sawe hym playne

By her goddes. she gan hym to constrayne

To shewen oute. the cause of his affraye

And it expowne. and make noo delaye

Croppe and rote. shortly why that he

Entred fyrste. in to that countre

Fro when he came. and fro what regyo [...]

But he her putte in delusyon

As he hadde done it. for the nones

Tyll atte laste. he brake oute attones

Vnto the quene. and gan a processe make

Fyrste how he was. in the foreste take

wounded the feet. and soo forthe euery thynge

Of his serchynge. how Polybon the kynge

And hole the cause. why he hym forsoke

And in what wyse. he the waye toke

Towarde Thebes. as Appollo badde

And of fortune. how he was ladde

where that Spynx. kepte the mountayne

And how that he slowe▪ also in certayne

Lrynge Layus atte castell gate

Towardes nyghte. whan it was full late

And to Thebes. than he gan hym spede

To fynde oute. the stok of his kynrede

[Page]whiche vnto hym. gan wexe couthe

For by processe. of his grene youthe

He founde oute well. by rekenynge of his lyfe

That she was bothe. his moder and his wyfe

Soo that all nyght. and suyng on the morowe

Atte twene hem twoo. gan a newe sorowe

whiche vnto me. were tedyous to telle

For therupon. yf I sholde dwelle

A longe space. it wolde occupye

Tragedia senecede Edyppo rege thebax

But ye maye reden. in a Tragedye

Of morall Senek. and fully his endynge

His dooll. his myscheef and his compleynynge

How with sorowe. and vnweldy age

This Edyppus. fylle in to dotage

Loste his wytte. and his worldely delyte

And how his sones. hadde hym in dyspyte

And of dysdayne. toke of hym noo kepe

And bookes sayen. his eyen oute he wepte

And as myne auctour. lyketh to deuyse

As his sones. rebuke hym and despyse

Vpon a daye. in a certayne place

Oute of his hede. his eyen he gan oute race

And caste at hem. he gan none other bote

And of malyce. they tradde hem vnder fote

Fully deuoyde. bothe of loue and drede

And whan Edyppꝰ. for myscheef was thꝰ dede

withinne a pytte. made in the erthe lowe

Of cruelte. his sones haue hym throwe

[Page]werre than serpente. or ony tygre wood

Of cursed stok. cometh vnkynde blood

As in story. ye maye reden here to forne

All by the Rose. growe oute of a thorne

Thus of Edyppus. whan he was blynd & olde

The wretched ende. I haue yon playnly tolde

For whiche shortly. to man and childe I rede

To be well ware. and take hede

Nota How euery man ought of dewte to do reuerēce to fad (er) & moder. or ellis the wylfull vengaunce therof

Of kyndly righte. and conscyence

To doo honoure. and due Reuerence

To fader and moder. of what estate they be

Or certaynly ellis. they sholde neuer thee

For whoo that is. not to hem debonayre

In speche in porte. for to treate hem fayre

Hem to obeye. in honeste and drede

And to cherysshe. of what they hadde nede

I dare afferme. exceptynge none estate

That he shall fyrste. be infortunate

In all his werke. bothe in see and londe

And of what thynge. he taketh on honde

Fortune frowarde. and to hym contrayre

waste of his good. playnly and appayre

Fynde plente. of contek warre and stryfe

Vnhappy ende. and shortyenes of lyfe

And graceles of. what he hathe to do

Hatrede of god. and of man also

Therfore noo man. be here of recheles

But make youre myrroure. of Ethyocles

[Page]And his brother. called Polymyte

whiche in suche thynge. gretely weve to wyte

As ye shall here. of hem how it fylle

And whan we be descended doune this hylle

And I passed here. the lowe vale

I shall begynne. the remenante of my tale

¶ Explicit prima pars istius Codicilli.

¶ Inmediate sequitur secunda pars eiusdem.

PAssyd ye thorpe. of boughton on the blee

By my childern. I gan anone to see

Thrugh ye sonne. yt full clere gan shyne

Of the clok. that it drowe to nyne

And sawe also. the syluer dropes shene

Of the dewe. lyche perles on the grene

Vapoured vp. in to the ayre a lofte

whan zepherus. with his blowynge softe

The weder made lusty. smothe and fayre

And righte attempred. was the holsome ayre

The same houre. all the hole route

Of the pylgrymes. rydynge Rounde aboute

In my tale. whan I gan procede

Rehersynge forthe. as it was in dede

[Page]whan Edyppus. buryed was and graue

How his sones. the kyngdome for to haue

Amonge hemselfe. by full of mortall hate

For the crowne. gonne to debate

whiche of hem. Justely shall succede

And the septure. of the towne possede

Aduertynge not. nother to righte ne wronge

But eche of hem. to make her partye stronge

And his quarell. proudly to sustene

From whoos hertes. was deuoyded clene

Of bretherhode. the faythfull alyaunce

False couetyse. soo made hem at dystaunce

Fully worchynge. in to destruccyon

And ruyne of this noble town

Soo hote brente. the hatred enuye

of bothe twoo. thorugh pompous surquedye

That neyther wolde. playnly in a poynte

Other forborne. they stode in suche desioynte

How as they hadde. of byrthe be foreyns

Tyll of the towne. the noble Cytezeyns

Lmyghtes barons. with many worthy lorde

Shope awaye to make hem of accorde

And to sette hem. in quyete and in pes

But for his parte. this Ethyocles

Alledge gan. that he was fyrste borne

For whiche of reason. he oughte goo to forne

In the cytee. to be crowned kynge

The cōtrauercy of the twoo bretheren

Sythe by lawe. there was noo lettynge

[Page]For vnto hym. longeth the herysage

By descende. and by tytle of age

But Polymyte. of full hye dysdayne

All openly. gan replye agayne

And for his parte. sayde in specyall

Reason was none. that he sholde haue all

Regalye. and domynacyon

And the lorshyppe. hole of the toun

And he righte noughte. oute of the Cyte

Lyue in exyle. and in pouerte

Full concludynge. withoute fere or drede

Rather than it suffre. he wyll be dede

And thus alas. thorugh her enuyous stryfe

Atte ende eueryche loste his lyfe

Atte grete myscheef. as ye shall after here

But thylke tyme. the lordes all I fere

Full besely dyde. her dylygence

By grete auyse. of full hyghe prudence

To setten hem in quyete and in reste

Coūseylynge hem. playnly for the beste

To leue her stryfe. of wysdome and reason

A condescende. to some conclusyon

whiche to bothe myghte. moost auayle

That fynally thorugh. her gouernayle

The lordes all. beynge tho presente

They haue hem broughte. to be of one assente

Of one herte. as brother vnto brother

Eueryche of hem. to regoen after other

The cōuen cyon of the twoo bretheren

[Page]yere by yere as it come aboute

Soo that the towne. shall absente hym oute

Fully that yere. and hymselfe guye

By his manhode. and his chyualrye

Haunte hymselfe. in dedes marcyall

whyle his brother. in his see royall

Holdeth his septure. the Cytee to gouerne

And whan the yere. his cours hath ronne yerne

And is come oute. he shall haue repeyre

To regne in Thebes. lyke as lorde and heyre

Therto receyue. fully his dygnyte

whyle that the other. voydeth the Cyte

Pacyently takynge. his aduenture

Tyll he agayne. his honoure maye recure

Thus entrechange. euery yere they shall

That one ascendeth. that other hath a fall

They muste obeye. of herte and take it wele

Lyche as the tourne. resorteth of the whele

For this was. hole the composycyon

The wordes of the composicyon

By twene the brethern. and conuencyon

Full knytte vp. by grete auysemente

Therfore the goddes. by othe of sacramente

Neuer after to grutche. ne to varye

But accomplysshen. shortly and not tarye

Lyche as ye accorde. enrolled in the towne

Fro poynte to poynte. made mencyone

But alder fyrste. by reason of his age

Ethyocles. hadde thauantage

[Page]To regne aforne. to were a crowne

Polymyte hastynge hym oute of towne

Durynge that yere. it maye none other bee

Whyle his brother. sate in his royall see

Full rychely. vpon fortunes whele

And rode hym forthe. armed bryghte in stele

This Polymyte. sothly as I rede

Hymselfe allone. on a Royall stede

Withoute guyde. all the longe daye

Beynge aferde. to kepe the hyghe waye

In his herte. hauynge suspecyon

To his brother. of malyce and treson

Lest he pursued. through his fals vnkynd blood

To haue hym dede. for couetyse of good

That he allone. myghte haue possessyone

Durynge his lyfe. fully of the towne

For whiche in haste. hauynge noo felawe

Polymyte asyde gan hym drawe

By a foreste. Joynynge to the see

Linowyng right nought. ye syght of the coūtree

Full of hylles. and of hye mountayns

Craggy roches. and but few playns

Wounder dredfull. and lothsome of passage

And therwith all. full of bestes rage

Holdynge his waye. of herte noo thynge lyghte

Mate and wery. tyll it drowe to nyghte

And all the daye. beholdynge enuyrone

He neyther sawe. castell towre ne towne

[Page]The whiche thynge. greuyd hym full sore

And sodeynly. the see began to rore

Wynde and tempeste. hydously to aryse

The reyne doune bete. in full grysly wyse

That man and beste. therof was adradde

And nye for fere. gan to waxe madde

As it semed. by the wofull sowns

And Tygres Beres. Bores and Lyons

Whiche for refute. hemselfe for to saue

Eueryche in haste. drowe vnto his caue

But Polymyte. in this tempeste huge

Alas the whyle. he fyndeth noo refuge

Nor hym to shronde. sawe noo where no socour

Tyll it was passed. almoost mydnyghte hour

The cloude voyde. in heuen dyde appere

A large space. that the sterres clere

Soo that this knyghte. oute of a foreste large

How Poly myte came in to ye londe of Arge

Gan approchen. to the londe of Arge

Seenge a paleys myghty of byldynge

Of whiche Adrastus. called was the kynge

A manly man. riche and wounder sage

And ronne was. somdele in to age

Borne of the yle. that called is Clyson

And whylom sone. of the kynge Chalon

And for his wytte. in story as is couthe

He chosen was. in his tender youthe

Of all Arge. to be crowned kynge

Chyfe of all grece. by recorde of wrytynge

[Page]Nor by dyscente. ne successyon

But all oonly. of free eleccyon

Beholde of Arge. the septure in his honde

As moost worthy. of all Grekes londe

Loued and drad. for wysdome and Justyce

And as the story playnly can deuyse

This worthy kynge. hadde doughtres two

Passynge fayre. and righte good also

It were to longe. her beaute to dyscryue

And the eldeste. called was Argyue

Argyue dei phyle & Adrastus

Deiphyle. I named the seconde

And Adrastus. lyche as it is fonde

This worthy kynge. hadde sone none

To succede. after he be gone

For whiche he was durynge. all his lyfe

Tryste in herte. and passynge pensyfe

But hole his truste. and his hope stode

By alyaunce. of some worthy blode

Brought in by meane. of his doughters twayn

That he shall be. relessed of his payn

Thorugh recomforte. of some hye maryage

And sothly yet. full hye in his corage

He troubled was. by occasyon

The dreme of adrastus of a bore & of a lyon

Of a sweuen. and a vysyon

Shewed to hym. vpon a certeyne nyghte

For as hym thoughte. in his inwarde syghte

Whyle he slepte. by clere inspeccyon

A wylde bore. and a ferce lyon

[Page]Possede shall. the bestes in her rage

His doughters twoo. by bonde of maryage

In shorte tyme. within a certayne daye

whiche broughte his herte. in full grete affraye

But thynge in southe. that destyne hathe shaꝑe

Here in this worlde. full harde it is tescape

Eke merueylous. a man teschue his fate

And Polymyte. of whome I spake late

With the tempeste. bete and all bereyned

By grace oonly. the cytee hathe atteyned

Where Adrastus. full statly of degree

Thylke tyme. helde his Royall see

The trouble nyghte. myrke and full obscure

Hathe broughte this knyght. oonly by auenture

Through the cytee. enclosed with a wall

Vnto the paleys. chyffe and pryncypall

Where as the kynge. in his chambre alofte

Laye in his bedde. and slepte wounder softe

Eke all his folke. hadde her chambres cake

Lyke as fortune. peraunter hadde shape

The selfe tyme. by cause it was soo late

And casuelly. noo porter atte gate

As it hadde be righte. for the nones

And in a porche. bylte of square stones

Full myghtly. enarched enuyrowne

Where the domes. and the plees of the towne

Were execute. and lawes of the kynge

And there this knyght. without more taryenge

[Page]wery and mate. fro his stede a lyght

Hangynge the reyn. in all the haste he myght

Vpon his arme. surer hym to kepe

And layde hym doune. and gan anone to slepe

As hym semed. that tyme for the beste

And whyle he laye. thus for to reste

Of auenture. there come a knyghte rydynge

The worthyest. in the worlde lyuynge

Curteys lowly. and righte vertuous

As sayth my auctour. called Tydyus

Eureus in armes. and manly in werkynge

Of his byrthe. sone vnto the kynge

Of Calydonye. a londe of grete renowne

And he alas. oute of that regyowne

E [...]yled was. for he his brother slow

As Scace of Thebes. wryte the maner how

All be that he to hym. noo malyce mente

For on a daye. as they on hoūtynge wente

In a foreste. for herte and for hynde

Soo as he stode. vnder a grene lynde

And casuelly. lette his arowe slyppe

He slow his brother. called menalyppe

Thrugh mortall sorte. his honde was begyled

For whiche he was. banysshed and exyled

As the lawe. narowe sette his charge

And for this caas. he came fyrste to Arge

In to the porche. where Polymyte slepe

Of auenture. or he toke ony kepe

[Page]The same nyghte. hydously besaen

with the tempeste. of thonder wynde and rayn

And fylle also. anoye and grete domage

Thrugh the foreste. holdynge his passage

As Polymyte. hadde done beforne

In perell ofte lykely. to be lorne

with bestes rage. sette on euery syde

Tyll of grace. withoute ony guyde

He rode thrugh Arge. the grete myghty towne

Streyte to the paleys. and the chefe doūgone

Lyche as I tolde. where Polymyte laye

And atte his comynge. made a grete afraye

For he was blynd. thorugh derknesse of ye nyght

And hym to guyde. he founde noo lyght

whan he came in. of pryket ne of torche

Tyll he vnwarly. entred the porche

And wolde haue taken there. his herbygage

But Polymyte. sterte vp in a rage

Sodeynly awaked. as I rede

with the nyghynge. of his proude stede

And fyrste of all. whan that he behelde

A knyghte armyd. vpon his breste a shelde

And gan the maner. of his araye aduerte

Of verraye yre. vpon his horse he sterte

And cruelly. gan tydynge enquere

whennes he came. or what he dyde there

And badde in haste. his answere to deuyse

And Tydeus. in full humble wyse

[Page]Answered agayne. of verray gentylnesse

And sayde in sothe. that of hygh dystresse

Of the tempeste. and the derke nyghte

He dryuen was. lyke an arrante knyghte

Of nede oonly. and of necessyte

And hye constreynte. of his aduersyte

Take lodgynge. where soo that he myghte

And in that courte. therfore he a lyghte

withoute more. thynkynge none outerage

Nor to noo wyghte. menynge noo domage

Than Polymyte. of malyce and hye pryde

Tolde hym shortly. he sholde not abyde

Noo lenger there. though he hadde it sworne

For I quod he. toke it vp beforne

And wyll it kepe. durynge all this nyghte

I say the platly. maugre all thy myghte

Quod Tydeus. that is noo curtesye

Me to deuoyde. but rather vylonye

Yf ye take hede. that seme a gentyll knyghte

And I suppose. ye haue noo tytle of ryghte

To this lodgynge. by waye of herytage

More than haue I. for all youre felle rage

And parde. yet shall it be noo dysese

Tyll to morow. that doo me ese

Of gentylesse. oonly by youre leue

To suffre me. it shall lytyll greue

But ay the more. Tydeus spake fayre

Polymyte. was frowarde and contrayre

[Page]And shortly sayd. it geyneth not to stryue

That of force. he shall deuoyde blyue

Or vtterly bytwene hem bothe twoo

This thynge to trye. he must haue a doo

And Tydeus seeng noo better mene

Full lyke a knyght. in stele armed clene

withoute abode. faste gam hym spede

wounder lyghtly. for to take his stede

And thus. these knyghtes pompous and elate

For lytyll cause. fellen atte debate

And as they ranne togyder on horse bake

How Tydeus & Polymyte stro fe for her lodgyng

Eueryche on other. fyrste her spere brake

And after that. full surquydous of pryde

with sharpe swerdes. they togyder ryde

Full yrously. these myghty champyons

In her furye. lyke Tygres or Lyons

As they hurtle. that all the paleys shoke

And kyng Adrastus. oute of slepe woke

And made in haste. his chamberleyns call

And thrugh the courte. his worthy knyghtis all

Commaundyng hem. to descende and se

And reporte what it myght be

This wounder noyse. in his courte be nyght

And whā they sawe. two strange knyght fyght

In plates bryght. and in thyk mayle

withoute Juge. they hadde grete meruayle

And dysamayed. of this vncouthe thyng

As they founde. tolde they to the kyng

[Page]And Adrastus. for derkenesse of the nygh [...]

Fro his chambre. with many torches lyght

In to the courte. is descended downe

All his mayne. stondynge enuyrowne

Of these knyghtes. hauyng full grete wounder

And of manhode. he putte hem fyrst asounder

Hem commaundyng. lyke a gentyll kyng

To leue her stryte. and cesen of her fyghtyng

And entred in. with a knyghtly loke

And fyrst from hem. her swerdes both he toke

Affermyng eke. as to his fantasye

It was a rage. and a grete folye

Soo wylfully. her lyues to in parte

withoute Juge. her quarell to departe

And specyally. in the derke nyght

whan neyther of other. myght haue a syght

Chargyng hem. on payne of her lyfe

To desure and stynten of of her stryfe

And Tydeus. in all the haste he myght

Full humbly. fro his stede a lyght

And right mekely. with chere and contenaūce

Putte hym hole in the gouernaūce

Of Adrastus. in all maner thyng

And Polymyte. made eke noo taryeng

To a lyght also. and wolde it not withseye

The kynges byddyng. lowly to obeye

Soo as hym ought. with due reuerence

And as they stode. both in his presence

[Page]He gan enquere. fyrste of her estate

The cause also. why they where atte debate

Of her countrees sothly. and her age

He asked eke. touchyng her lynage

By dyscente of what. stok they were borne

And Tydeus. his answere gaaf toforne

Tolde playnly. made noo lesyng

How that he was. sone to the kyng

Of Calydonye. and rightfull heyre therto

And of thexyle. the soth he tolde also

As ye haue herde. in the story radde

And Polymyte. with chere and face sadde

Vnto the kyng. touchyng his countree

Sayde he was borne. in Thebes the Cytee

And Jocasta. the grete famons quene

His moder was. withouten ony wene

But of his fader. whylom kyng and lorde

For verraye shame. he spake not a worde

Oonly for he. yf I sholde not fayne

His fader was. and brother bothe twayne

The whiche in south. he was full lothe to telle

And eke the kyng. wolde hym not compelle

Of gentyllesse. but badde withoute blame

Of his byrthe. for to haue noo shame

For hole the caas. and maner euery dele

Touchyng his kyn. ye groūde he knew full well

Lyche as it was. by full clere reporte

Enforsyng hym. for to doo comforte

[Page]with all his myght. and his besy payne

This manly kyng. to these knyghtes twayne

And to hem sayd. aforne hym as they stode

He wyst well. that of worthy blode

They were descended. touchyng her kynrede

And made his offycers. in haste to lede

The strange knyghtes beynge atte debate

Thrugh his paleys. to chambres of estate

Eche by hymselfe. for to take his ease

And euery thyng in south yt myght hem please

was offred hem. lyche to her estates

And whan they weren. dyseuered of her plates

Cusshewes grenes. and her sabatous

Her harneys voyded. and her habargous

Twayn mantels. vnto hem were brought

Fret with perle. and ryche stones wrought

Of clothe of golde. and veluett cremesyne

Full rychely furred. with armyne

To wrappe hem in. agayn the colde morowe

After the rage. of her nyghtes sorowe

To take her reste. tyll the sonne aryse

And than the kyng. in full prudente wyse

Fyrste of all. was nothyng recheles

The knyghtes hertes. to [...]etten in pees

That euer after. I dare aferme it well

Eche was to other. as trewe as ony stele

Durynge her lyfe. bothe in werke and dede

Vnder a knotte. bounden of bretherhede

[Page]And Adrastus. the worthy kyng famous

A feste made. riche and plenteuous

To these knyghtis. & hymself there at presente

And after mete. full goodly he hath sente

This noble kyng. for his doughters dere

Of gentyllesse. for to make hem chere

To the knyghtes. Icome fro soo fer

And lyke in sothe. as Lucyfer the ster

Gladdeth the morow. atte his vprysyng

Soo the ladyes. atte her incomyng

with the stremes. of her eyen clere

Goodly apporte. and womanly manere

Contenaunce. and excellent fayrenesse

To all the courte. broughten in gladnesse

For the fresshenesse. of her heuenly cheres

Soo agreable was. to the strangers

Atte her entre. that in specyall

Hem thought it lyke. a thynge celestyall

Enhastyng hem. in full knyghtly wyse

Agaynst hem. goodly to aryse

And as they mette. with humble contenaunce

Full connyngly. dyde her obseruaunce

Hem conueyeng to her syttyng place

But sothly. I haue leyser none ne space

To reherse. and putte in remembraunce

Hole the maner. of her dalyaunce

I [...] were to longe. for you to abyde

But well I wote. that the god Cupyde

[Page]By influence. of his myghty honde

And the feruence. of his fyry bronde

Her metyng fyrste. fortuned hath soo well

That his arowe. of golde and not of stele

I perced haue the. knyghtes hertes twayne

Thrugh the breeste. with suche a lusty payne

That there abode. sharpe as spere or launce

Depe I fyxed. the poynte of remembraunce

whiche maye not lyghtly. rased ben a waye

And thus in Joye. they dryuen forth the waye

In play and reuell. for the knyghtes sake

And towardes nyght. they her chambres toke

Atte due tyme. as her fader badde

And on her way. the knyghtes haue hem ladde

Reuerently. vp by many a steyre

Takyng leue. gan anone repayre

To her lodgyng. in a full statly toure

Assygned to hem. by the herberyoure

And after spyces. playnly and the wyne

In cuppes grete. wrought of golde fyne

withoute taryeng. to bedde streyte they gone

Touchyng her rest. where they slepte or none

Demeth ye louers. that in suche maner thyng

By experyence. haue fully knowlechyng

For it is not. declared in my boke

But as I fynde. the kyng all nyght woke

Thought full in herte. the story specyfyes

Musyng sore. and full of fantasyes

[Page]Fyrste aduertyng. the grete worthynesse

Of these knyghtes. and the semlynesse

Her lusty youthe. her force and her manhode

And how they weren comen. of Royall blode

All this he gan to reuolue aboute

Ay in his herte. hauyng a maner doubte

Bytwene twoo. hangyng in a balaunce

whether he sholde maken alyaunce

Bytwene his doughters. & the knyghtis twayn

For one thyng. ay his herte gan constrayn

The remembraunce of his auysyon

Of whiche. therfore I made mensyon

Touchyng the lyon. and the wylde bore

It nedeth not. to reherse it more

Castyng alwaye. in his fantasye

what it myght. clerely sygnyfye

This derke dreme. this was hydde and close

But on the morowe. Adrastus vp arose

And to the temple. the right waye he toke

And gan praye deuoutly on his boke

To the goddes. his dreme to specyfye

And they hym badde. homewarde for to hye

And to beholde. in the knyghtes sheldes

The fell bestes. peynted of the feldes

whiche shall to hym. by clere inspeccyon

Full playnly. make declaracyon

Of his dreme. that he had in the nyght

And Adrastus. enhasted hym full ryght

[Page]In her sheldes. hangynge vpon hokes

The bestes rage. with her mortall hokes

And to purpose. lyke as wryte Bochas

Polymyte. full strayte enbraced was

In the hyde of a fers lyon

And Tydeus. abouen his haberyon

Agypon hadde. [...]dous sharpe and hore

wrought of the brystles. of a wylde bore

The whiche bestes. as the story leres

were wrought and bete. vpon her baners

Dysplayed brode. whan they sholde fyght

wherof the kynge. whan he hadde a syght

Atte his repayre. in herte was full gladde

with a face full demure and sadde

with his lordes. that he aboute hym hadde

To the temple. he these knyghtes ladde

And whan they hadde. with all circumstaūces

Of rytes olde. done her obseruaūces

Home to the courte. they resorte agayn

And in a hall. riche and well besayn

This worthy kyng. of herte lyberall

Made a feste. solempne and Royall

whiche in deyntes. suerly dyde excelle

But it were veyn. euery cours to telle

Her strange sewes. and her sotyltees

Ne how they. sat lyke to her degrees

Fer lak of tyme. I lette it ouerslyde

And after mete. Adrastus toke asyde▪

[Page]The knyghtes twoo. and lyke a prudente man

In secrete wyse. thus his tale he gan

SIrs quod he. I doughte it nought

Verba Regis Adrastus ad Polimitem et Tydeū

That it is fresshe. & grene ay in your thought

How that fyrst. by goodis ordynaūce

And after nexte. thrugh fates purueaūce

And by workynge. of fortu [...]s honde

How yt ye werne. fyrst brought in to this londe

Bothe tweyne. but now this laste nyghte

Of wos comynge. I am full gladde & lyghte

Fyrste in my selfe. shortly to expresse

whan I consyder. and see the lyklynesse

Of youre persones. with the circumstaunces

And hole the maner. of your gouernaunces

Seeynge full well. wherto sholde I fayne

ye lykely be. here after to attayne

The grete estate. of habondaunce of good

Thrugh youre byrthe. and your Royall blood

ye maye not fayle. but ye haue wronge

For ye are bothe manly. and ryghte stronge

And for to sette. youre hertes at more reste

My purpose is. I hope for the beste

Soo that in you. be noo varyaunce

To make a knot. and by alyaunce

A twixe you and my doughters two

yf youre hertes. accorden wyll therto

And for. I am fully in dyspeyre

To succede. for to haue an heyre

[Page]Therfore ye shall haue. possessyon

Durynge my lyfe. of halfe this regyon

Forth with in honde. and hole after my daye

There is noman. that therto shall saye naye

And sothly after. whan I am graue

Eche of you. shall his parte haue

Of this kyngdome. as I haue prouyded

This to seen. it shall be deuyded

Bytwene you twoo. eueryche to be crowned

youre purpartyes. by equyte compowned

Soo egally. in euery mannys syghte

That eche of you. reioyse shall his ryghte

And by youre wytte. ye shall the londe amende

And of manhode. knyghtly it defende

Agayne oure enemyes. and oure mortall foon

And for the dayes. passed ben and goon

Of my desyres. and my lusty youthe

I am full sette. for to make couthe

That ye sholde haue. lyke myne opynyon

The gouernaunce of this regyon

To this entente. me semyth for the beste

ye to gouerne. and I to lyue in reste

Fully to fulfylle. the luste of my pleysurs

Hunte and hawke. in woodes and ryuers

whan soo euer. therto I shall haue pleasance

And for to haue. none other attendance

Vnto nothynge. but vnto myne ease

For whiche shortly. yf it agree and please

[Page]That I haue sayde. to you that ben soo wyse

And ben accordynge. vnto youre auyse

Delayeth not. but in wordes playn

what you semyth. yeue answere agayn

ANd whan Adrastus. had his tale fyned

Responsia a Polimite et tideo ad Regem Adrastu

Tydeus with hede. full lowe enclyned

As he that was. a verry gentyll knyghte

with all his power. and his full myghte

Full humbly. thanked the kynge

Touchynge his profre. of soo hygh a thynge

And for his parte. sayd he wolde assente

Fully of herte. neuer to repente

To all that euer. the kynge hath sayde

And Polymyte. was also well apayde

In the story. as it is comprehended

And soo they be bothe. condescended

The kynges wyll. to fulfylle in dede

Fro poynte to poynte. and therupon procede

where so euer. that they wynne or lese

And Tydeus made. his brother chese

Of gentyllesse. and of curtesye

whiche was moost. to his fantasye

Of the sustren. for to haue to wyue

And he in south. chosen hadde Argyue

That eldest was. full womanly to se

And T [...]deus. toke than Deyphyle

Of her beaute. moost souerayn excellente

And Adrastus. thrugh out his londe hath sente

[Page]For his lordes. and his baronage

To be presente. atte maryage

Of the knyghtes. and make noo lettynge

And they echone. come atte his byddynge

In goodly wyse. meke and full benygne

Agayne the daye. that he dyde assygne

And thyder come. full many lusty knyghte

Full well beseen. and many lady bryghte

Fro euery coste. and many fresshe squyre

The story it sayth. and many comynere

To beholde. the grete Royalte

And the maner. of this solempnyte

But to telle. all the circumstaunces

Of Justes. reuell. and of dyuerse daunces

The festes riche. and the gyftes grete

The pryue syghes. and the feruente hete

Of loues folke. brennynge as the glede

And deuyses. of many sondry wede

The touches stole. and the amerous lokes

By stoyll crafte. layde doune lyne and hokes

The Jelous folke. to trayssen and begyle

In theyr a wayte. with many sondry wyle

All this in southe. descryuen I ne can

But well I wote. the newe fame ran

This meane whyle. with full swyfte passage

Vnto Thebes. of this maryage

And by reporte trewe. and not I fayned

The sowne therof. the eres hathe attayned

[Page]Myne auctour wryte. of Ethyocles

Touchyng the honoure. and the grete encres

Of Polymyte. hyghly magnyfyed

And how that he. newly was allyed

with Adrastus. in the londe of Arge

The whiche thyng. gretly he gan to charge

Dredyng inly. that this maryage

Shall after tourne. in to his damage

Sore musyng. and castyng vp and downe

The grete power. and the hye renowne

Of Adrastus. the whiche of Grekes londe

Hadde all the power. sudgett to his honde

Leste that he for Polymyte sake

wolde vpon hym. a newe werre make

But yf that he. lyke to the conuencyon

Atte the tyme sette. delyuerd the toun

To his brother. by bonde of bothe I sworne

By couenauntes. assured here byforne

Yf ye remember. late as I you tolde

whiche he was not. in purpos for to holde

But from his hest. casted for to [...]arye

And therupon lyste noo lenger to tarye

Lyche his desyre. to shape remedyes

And fyrste he sente. for his next allyes

In whome he hadde. moost affyaunce

For his lordes. that hadde gouernaunce

Of his kyngdome. to come to hym anone

And whan they were presente euerychone

[Page]He sayd playnly. wenyng for the beste

That his herte. shall neuer lyen in reste

But in sorowe. and in a maner drede

Tyll his brother. vtterly be dede

That he in Thebes. in his Royall sete

Myghte allone. regne in quyete

He mente hymselfe. shortly and none other

Unperturbed. of Polymyte his brother

And atte this counseyll. dyucrse of entente

I fynde wrytte thre folkes were presente

Some in sothe. that feythfull were and trewe

And some also. that changen can of newe

And other eke. that bytwene twayne

Couertly coude vnder coloure fayne

THe fyrste sayd. aboue all thyng

The commēdacyon of trouth

Trouth sholde longe to a kyng

Of his worde. not be varyable

But playne and hole. as a contre stable

For trouth fyrste. withoute ony wene

Is chyfe pyler. that many a kyng sustene

In Joye and honour. for to lede his lyfe

Nota How trouthe is preferred [...]v ye book of esdre aforne kyngis wȳ mē & wyne

For trouth whylom had a prerogatyfe

As of Esdre. the book can specyfye

Recorde I take. of prudente Neemye

That worthy kyng. for all her grete pryde

with all her power. and domynacyon

Hauyng rewarde. in comparyson

The trouthes myght. trouthes worthynesse

[Page]For as Esdre. playnly dooth expresse

who taketh hede. in the same place

The influence sothly. and the grace

Of trouth allone. this olde Neemye

Gate hym lycence to redefye

The walles newe. of Jherusalem

Salamon Trouth & mercy p̄ser uen a kyng fro all aduersyte Chaūgene doublinesse sholde not be in a kynge

whiche trouth is. tresoure. cheef of euery realme

For Salamon wrytte. how that thynges tweyn

Trouth and mercy. lynked in a cheyn

Preserue a kyng. lyke to his degree

Fro all myscheef. and aduersytee

Alas therfore. that ony doublenesse

Varyaunce. or vnsykernesse

Chaunge of worde. or mutabylytee

Fraude or deceyte. other instabylyte

Sholde in a kyng. haue domynacyon

To causen after. his destruccyon

Of kynges rede the story done by rowe

And seen how many. haue ben ouerthrowe

Thrugh her falshede. fro fortunes whele

For vnto god. it pleseth neuer a dele

A kyng to be double of entente

For it maye happe. that the worlde is blente

Full ofte syth by sleyth of her werkyng

But this is the trouth. god seeth euery thyng

Right as it is. for there maye be noo cloude

Toforne his syght. trouth for to shroude

It may be clypsed. and derked by dyscente

[Page]By false engyne lyeng in a wayte

As a serpente. for to vndermyne

But atte laste. it wyll clerely shyne

who that sayth nay. she we his bryght beames

For it is in sothe. of kyngdomes & of reames

Is berer vp. and conseruatryce

Fro all myscheef. and southfaste medyatryce

To god aboue. who soo lyste to see

To kepe a kyng. in prosperytee

On euery syde. as I affermely dare

For whiche kyngis. and lordes be well ware

youre behestes. Justly for to holde

And thynke how Thebes. with his wall olde

Destroyed was. platly this noo less

For the doublenesse. of Ethyocles

whiche his people. after sore abought

Donly for he not by counseyll wrought

Of hem that were. bothe trewe and wyse

Hym lyste not worche. after her deuyse

But lefte trouth. and sette his fantasye

To be gouerned. by false flaterye

That had hym thynke. how he was a knyght

And to shelde of force. more than of ryght

Duryng his lyfe. lordshyp of the towne

And not for to lese. his possessyon

For noo bonde. ne hestes made aforne

But late his brother. blowen in a horne

where that hym lyste. or pypen in a rede

[Page]This was the counseyll. platly and the rede

Of suche that lyste not. to sayen the southe

But falsly flater. with her wordes smothe

And whan they had. hole her tale fayned

Ethyocles. fully was enclyned

who soo euer there atte. lawghe or wepe

Lyke her counseyll. pessessyon to kepe

who that saye nay. or grutche there agayne

Hym to contrarye. he thought it was but vayne

BVt in this whyle. hath the shene sonne

How the ye re was comen oute yt Ethyocles regned in Thebes

The. xii. sygnes. rounde aboute ronne

Syth Ethyocle. by Juste rekenyng

In Thebes was crowned lorde and kyng

Holdyng the septure. and the dyademe

That by reason. as wolde seme

The tyme was full complete and the space

Of couenaunt. he sholde voyde his place

And Polymyte eke. his Journey make

Towarde Thebes. possessyon to take

Of due tytle. but yf he hadde wronge

whiche thought in soth▪ ye yere was woūd longe

Of his exyle. or it come aboute

And for he hadde in herte. a maner doute

Leste in his brother. there were falshede fonde

To acquyte hymselfe. lyke as he was bonde

To Adrastus. he gan declare his herte

Besechynge hym. this mater to aduerte

And therupon. to yeue his counseyll sone

[Page]Touchyng his right. what was beste to done

where it was. beste to gone or to abyde

Or lyke a knyght. manfully to ryde

Hymselfe allone. and make noo message

For the chalange. of his rightfull herytage

within Thebes. eyther by peas or stryfe

And therupon. to yeoparde his lyfe

Thus was he sette. for all his fers brother

But Adrastus sothly. thought a nother

Better was to sende. than hymselfe to goon

Leste he were trapped. among his mortall foon

Hauyng his brother. suspecte in the case

That by fraude. or by some falase

He wolde werke. to his destruccyon

Yf he were hardy. to entren in to the towne

For whiche he badde hym. prudently take hede

Full concludyng. how it was more spede

That some other. be to Thebes sente

To apperceyue. fully the entente

Of Ethyocle. outewarde by some sygne

And where that he his crowne wyll resygne

For tylke yere. lyke as he made his othe

And whan he knew. how his purpos goth

Therupon to werke and procede

Thus Adrastus. wysely gan hym rede

And whyle they treate. vpon this mater

Tydeus toke vpon hȳ to do ye message of his brother Polymyte

Tydeus with a manly chere

Sayd vtterly. for his brothers sake

[Page]This message. he wolde vndertake

with hole tempryse. of the embassyate

were it wylfull. or infortunate

He wyll not spare. what soo that bytyde

But Adrastus. on that other syde

And Polymyte. in conclusyon

weren contrarye. to that opynyon

And sayd sothly. as hem thought ryght

Syth that he was. soo well aproued knyght

And descended. of soo worthy blood

That they nolde. for none erthly good

For all Thebes. with the rygalye

Put his body. in suche yeopardye

BUt all this thynge. auayled hē right nouzt

For he wold forth. how dere yt it be bought

Takyng leue. fyrste of all the states

And armed hym. in mayle and sure plates

And shope hym forth. vpon his Journey

who made sorowe. but Deyphyle

The sorowe of Deyphyle whā tydeꝰ went vnto Thebes

with bytter teeres. dewed all her face

Full ofte syth. swownyng in the place

Tryste and mornyng. in her blake wede

whan she sawe. that he toke his stede

Soo inwardly. gan encreace her mone

Seeng her lorde. soo ryde forth allone

Vpon his waye. this worthy Tydeus

And in all haste. the story telleth vs

He spede hym soo. makyng noo delayes

[Page]That in space. of a fewe dayes

The hye towres of Thebes he gan see

And entred is in to the Lytee

wysely enqueryng. where the paleys stode

And lyke a knyght. thyder streyte he rode

Marked full well. in many mannes syght

Lyche Mars hymselfe. in stele armed bryght

Tyll he atteyned hath. the cheef dongyon

where as the kyng. helde his mansyon

And thrugh the paleys with a knyghtly loke

In to the halle. the right waye he toke

Fro his stede. whan he lyght down

Not aferde. but hardy as a lyon

where as the kyng. with lordes a grete route

In the halle. syttyng rounde aboute

He entred in moost manfull of corage

To execute. the fyne of this message

And as hym thought. conuenyente and due

Full connyngly. he gan the kyng salue

Requyryng hym of kyngly excellence

In goodly wyse. to yeue hym audyence

And not dysdayne. neyther in porte ne chere

Syth he was. come as a messagere

From Polymyte. his owne brother dere

Gynnyng his tale thus. as ye shall here

QVod he vnto youre worthynesse

How wysely & howe knyghtely tydeꝰ dyde his message

My purpos is. bryfly to expresse

Theffecte oonly as in sentemente

[Page]Of the message. why that I am sente

It were in vayne. longe processe for to make

But of my mater. the verraye grounde to take

In eschuynge. of prolixyte

And voyde awaye. all superfluyte

Syth yourselfe. best ought to vnderstonde

The cause fully. that we haue on honde

And eke conceyue. thentente of my menyng

Of rightwysnesse. longyng to a kyng

Fyrste consydred. yf that ye take hede

whan Edyppus. the olde kyng was dede

How yourselfe. and youre brother blyue

For the crowne. contagyously gan stryue

As mortall foon. by full grete hatred

whiche of you twoo. fyrste sholde succede

Tyll that ye weren. by meanes recouncyled

The to regne. and he to be exyled

Out of this towne. for a yeres space

And than agayne. resorte to his place

To regne as kyng. and ye to voyde oute

Soo as your tourne. by processe come aboute

Eueryche of you. pacyently to endure

The enterchaungyng. of his aduenture

who were putte oute. or stode in his estate

Therupon to make noo debate

Lyche the conuenaunte. and conuencyon

Enrolled vp. by lordes of this towne

whiche of reason maye. not be denyed

[Page]And sythe ye haue. a yere I occupyed

Polymyte. requyreth you of ryght

The requeste yt tydeus made in ye name of polimyte vnd ye tytle of ye cōuencyon

To acquyte you. lyche a trewe knyght

In eschewyng. of mortall werre and stryte

Syth ye haue hadde. a prorogatyfe

As eldest brother. for to regne a forne

And thynheth eke. how that ye are sworne

youre othe to kepe. and make noo taryeng

Hole aduertyng. lyke a prudente kyng

That trouth is more in comparyson

Than all the tresoure. of youre regyon

More acceptable. bothe to god and man

Than all ryches. that ye reken can

wherfore in haste. and let there be noo slouthe

Ouyteth youre selfe. Justly of your trouthe

Vnto your brother. auoydyng this cyte

And lette hym regne. in his royalte

The crowne of Thebes. a yere to occupye

Than wyll all Grece. preyse and magnyfye

youre hye renowne. and maye saye none other

But ye haue you. Justly to your brother

This is hole theffecte. of all that I wyll sayen

Answere expectante. what ye lyste sende ayen

WHan Tydeus hadde tolde his tale

Ethyocles. tryste and wonder pale

His conreyte fyrste. in maner had refrayned

Dyssymelyng. vnder coloure fayned

Shewyng a chere. in maner debonayre

[Page]To his entente. wounderly contrarye

Inwarde in herte. wood and furyous

Tournyng his face. towarde Tydeus

But he gan abrayde. and atte laste outbrake

And euen thus. to hym he spake

I haue gret meruaylle qd tydeꝰ The āswe re of ethyo cles

I haue grete meruayle. quod he in my thought

Of the message. whiche thou hast I brought

That my brother. as thou haste expowned

Desyreth soo in Thebes. to be crowned

Hauyng rewarde. to the habondaunce

The grete plente. and the suffysaunce

That he hath now. with the kyng of Arge

That me semeth. that he sholde lytell charge

To haue lordshyp. or domynacyon

In the bondes. of this lytell towne

Syth he regneth. soo fresshely in his floures

Surmountyng. all his predecessoures

By newe encrease. thorugh fortunes myght

wherof in herte. I am right glad and lyght

Full trustyng. yf I hadde nede

To his helpe. that withoute drede

Lyke a brother. than I sholde hym fynde

To mewarde. faythfully trewe and kynde

Supposyng. playnly euermore

Of this regne. he sette but lytyll store

Nor caste hym not. for soo shorte a whyle

As for a yere. his brother to exyle

To lyue in pouerte. and grete dystresse

[Page]He wyll not suffre it of his grete noblesse

It were noo token of noo brotherhede

But a sygne rather of hatrede

To interrupte. of my possessyon

Of this lytyll poore regyon

All that he spake. whoo that coude aduerte

Of verray scorne. roted in his herte

As it semeth. the story can you teche

By the surplus. sothly of his speche

He myght not. hym noo lenger refrayne

But platly sayd. as tweyne vs twayne

I mene thus Polymyte and me

There is noo bonde. nother suerte

Nor fayth I made. that maye hym auayle

As he claymeth. to haue the gouernayle

Of this Lytee. nother yere ne daye

For I shall lette hym sothly yf I maye

That he shall not. by tytle of noo bonde

Reioyse in Thebes. halfe a fote of londe

Lete hym kepe. all that he hath wonne

For I purpose. as I haue begonne

To regne in Thebes. hensforthe all my lyfe

Maugre all hem that there agayne stryfe

And in despyte. of his frendes all

Or the counseyll. that hym lyste call

Lete hym be sure. and know this right well

His manassyng. I drede neuer a dele

And sykerly. as to myne auyse

[Page]It sheweth well. that thou were not wyse

But supprysyng. with a maner rage

To take on the. this surquydous message

And presume. to done soo hye offence

Soo boldly to speke in my presence

But all I fere. auayle shall ryght nought

For the tydynges. that thou, haste brought

Shall vnto hym. be but dysencrees

He better were. to hauen in pees

Than of folye. and presumpcyon

Agaynst me. to seke occasyon

For whyle I leue. and therto here myne honde

As I sayd erste. he wynneth here noo londe

For fynally. I doo the to vnderstonde

whyle the walle. of this towne maye stonde

That they shall fyrste. be bete down full lowe

And all the toures. to the erthe I throwe

Or he in Thebes. haue ony thyng to doo

Loo here is all. retourne and saye hym soo

Whan Tydeus sawe. the feruente yre

Of the kyng. with anger sette a fyre

Full of dyspyte. and malencolye

Conceyuyng eke. the grete felonye

In his apporte. lyke as he were wood

This worthy knyght. a lytyll whyle stood

Sadde and demure. or he wolde ought seyn

But atte laste. thus he spake ageyn

Lerteys quod he. I conceyue of newe

The knyghtely answere of tydeus ayen to ye kyng

[Page]Aboute the. thy counseyll is vntrewe

I dare it sayn. and vowen atte leste

Nor thou arte. faythfull of thy beheste

Stable of thy worde. that yu hast sayd toforne

B [...]t dysceyuable. and falsly eke forsworne

And eke periure. of thyne assured othe

But where soo be. that thou be leff or lothe

I say the shortly. holde it for noo fage

All shall tourne. vnto thy domage

Truste it well. and in full cruell wyse

All Grekes londe. shall vpon the ryse

To ben auenged. and manly to the redresse

The grete vntrouth. and the hye falfnesse

whiche that yu haste. agayn thy brother wrought

It shall full dere. after this be bought

And verrayly in dede. as thou shalte lere

Lryng Adrastus. wyll medell in this mater

And all the lordes. aboute hym enuyron

That bounde ben. to his subgeccyon

Prynces Dukes. and many a noble knyght

In susteynyng. of thy brothers ryght

Shall vpon a daye. with spere and shelde

Agayns the be gadred. in a felde

Lrnyghtly to proue. all by one assente

That thou arte fals. and double of entente

Of thy promyse. atteynt and eke outrayed

And leue me well. it shall not be delayed

But in all the haste. execute in dede

[Page]Lyke thy deserte. thou shalte haue thy mede

For god aboue. of his ryghtwysnesse

Suche open wronge. shall in haste redresse

And of his myght. all suche conclusyon

Refourme agayne. and all extorsyon

For this the tyne. falshede shall not auayle

Agayne trouth. to holde batayle

wronge is croked. bothe halte and lame

And here anone. in my brothers name

As I that am his next allye

In his quarell. I shortly the defye

Fully auysed. with all my hole entente

And the lordes. that ben there presente

I you requyre. of your worthynesse

To saye trouth. and to bere wytnesse

whan tyme cometh. Justly to recorde

How youre kyng. falsly can dyscorde

From his heste. of false varyaunce

And thynke how ye. of fayth and lygaunce

Arne bonde echone. ye maye not goo therfro

For to obeye. and seruen bothe twoo

This next yere. now anone folowyng

As to youre lorde. and youre trewe kyng

Polymyte. though he be now absente

By Juste accorde. made in perlemente

At youre deuyse. whiche sytten here arowe

Engrosed vp as it is right well knowe

And enrolled. oonly for wytnesse

[Page]In youre regestres. to voyden all falnesse

That none of you. varye maye of newe

For that I saye. but yf he be vntrewe

For whiche I rede. youre selfe to acquyte

Lette noo [...]yme lenger you respyte

But attones. withoute more taryeng

Of manly force. fetteth home youre kyng

Manger his foon. lyke as ye are bounde

And lette in you. noo slouth be founde

To putte hym Justly in possessyon

This my counseyll. in conclusyon

As Tydeus had his message sayde

Lyke to the charge. yt was on hym layde

As he that lyste. noo lenger there soiourne

Fro the kyng. he gan his face tourne

Not astonyed. nor in his herte aferde

But full proudly. leyd his honde on his swerde

And in despyte. whoo that was leff or loth

f [...]ow tydeꝰ manly departed frō the kyng

A sterne paas. thorugh the hall he goeth

Thorught out ye courte. & manly toke his stede

And oute of Thebes. faste gan hym spede

Enhastyng hym. tylle he was att large

And spede hym forth. toward the lond of Arge

Thus leue I hym. ryde forth a whyle

whyle that I retourne agayne my style

Vnto the kyng. that in the hall stode

And amonge his lordes furyous and wode

In his herte wrothe. and euyll apayed

[Page]Of the wordes. that Tydeus had sayde

Specyally hauyng. remembraunce

On the proude. dyspytous dyffyaunce

whyles that he satte. in his royall see

Vpon whiche. he wyll auenged bee

Full cruelly. what euer that befalle

And in his yre. he gan to hym calle

Chyfe constable. of his chyualrye

Chargyng hym faste for to hye

with all the worthy chose. of his housholde

whiche as he knew. most manfull & most bolde

In all haste. Tydeus to sue

Toforn. or he oute of his londe renue

Vpon payne of lyffe. and lesyng of her hede

withoute mercy. anone that he be dede

And of knyghtes. fyfty were in nombre

Myne auctour sayth. vnwarly hym tencombre

Armed echone. in mayle and thyk stele

And therwith all I horsed wounder wele

Atte a posterne. forth they gan to ryde

How falsely ethiocles layd a busshemete in ye valey to haue slayn Tydeus

By agayne path. that laye oute asyde

Secretly. that noo man hem aspye

Oonly of treason. and felonye

They haste hem forth all the longe daye

Of cruell malyce. for to stop his waye

Thorugh a foreste. all of one assente

Full cowardly. to laye a busshemente

Vnder an hylle. at a strayte passage

[Page]To falle on hym. at more auantage

The same waye. that Tydeus gan drawe

Ate thylk mounte. where Spyx was slawe

He nothyng ware in his opynyon

Of this compassed. conspyracyon

But Innocente. and lyke a gentyll knyght

Rode ay forth. tyll it drew to nyght

Sole by hymselfe. withoute companye

Hauyng noo man to wyse hym or to guye

But atte laste. lyftyng vp his hede

Towarde eue and gan take hede

In mynde of his waye. right as ony lyne

Thought he sawe ayen the mone shyne

Sheldes fresshe. and plates bourned bryght

The whiche enuyron. casten a grete lyght

Ymagynyng. in his fantasye

There was treason. and conspyracye

Wrought by the kyng. his Journey for to lette

And of all that. he nothyng sette

But well assured. in his manly herte

How tydeꝰ outerayed fyfty knyghtes yt lay in a wayte for to slee hym

Lyste not ones. asyde to dyuerte

But kepte his waye. his shelde vpon his breste

And caste his spere. manly in his reste

And the fyrste platly. that he mette

Thorugh the body. proudly he hym smette

That he fell dede. chyfe mayster of hem all

And than attones. they vpon hym falle

On euery parte. by compas enuyrown

[Page]But Tydeus. thorugh his hye renown

his blody swerde. let aboute hym glyde

Sleeth and kylled. vpon euery syde

In his yre. and in his mortall tene

That meruayle was. he myght so susteyne

Ayen hem all. in euery halfe be sette

But his swerde. was soo sharpe I whette

That his foon. founde full vnswette

But he alas. was lyght on feete

By force grounded. in full grete dystresse

But of knyghthode. and of grete prowesse

Vp he rose. maugre all his foon

And as they come. he slewe hem one by one

Lyke a lyon rampant in his rage

And on this hylle. he fonde a narowe passage

whiche that he toke. of full hye prudence

And lyche a bore. standyng at his defence

As his foo men. proudly hym assayle

Vpon the playne. he made her blood to rayle

All enuyron. that the soyle waxe rede

Now here now there. as they fyllen dede

That laye here one. & there laye twoo or three

Soo mercyles. in his fers crueltee

Thylke daye he was. vpon hem founde

And attones. his enmyes to confounde

where as he stode. this myghty campyowne

Besyde he sawe. with water tourned downe

An huge stone. large longe and square

[Page]And sodaynly. or that they were ware

As it had layen there for the nones

Vpon his foon. he rolled it attones

That ten of hem. wenten vnto wrake

And the remenaunte. amased drowe a bake

For one by one. they wente to myschance

And fynally he brought to outrance

Hem euerychone. Tydeus as blyue

That none but one. left of hem a lyue

Hemselfe I hurte. and I wounded kene

Thorugh his harneys. bledyng on the grene

The slayne knyghtis. in compas roūde aboute

In the vale. slayne all the route

whiche pyteously. agayne the mone gape

For none of theym. shortly myght escape

But dede echone. as they it haue deserued

Saaf one excepte. the whiche was reserued

By Tydeus. of this entencyon

To the kyng to make relacyon

How his knyghtes. haue on her Journey sped

Eueryche of hem. his lyfe lefte for awed

And atte metyng. how they haue hem borne

To tellen. all he sured was and sworne

To Tydeus full. lowly on his knee

By whiche ensample. openly ye may see

Agayne trouthe. falshede hath noo myght

How trouthe with lytell multytude hathe euer in the fyne vyctorye of falshede

Fye on quarels. not grounded vpon ryght

withoute whiche. maye be noo vyctorye

[Page]Therfore eche man. haue this in memorye

That grete power. shortly to conclude

Plente of good. nor moche multytude

Sleyght or engeny. force or folonye

Arn [...] to feble. to holde champartye

Agayne trouth. who that lyst take hede

For atte ende. falshede maye not spede

To endure longe. the sholde fynde it this

Recorde I take. of worthy Tydeus

whiche with his honde. thrugh tronyes excellence

Fyfty knyghtes slewe. in his defence

But one excepte. as I late tolde

Sworne & assured. and his honde vpholde

The kyng to enfourme. how they were attaynt

And Tydeus of bledyng. wounder faynt

Meat and wery. and in grete dystresse

And ouerlayd. of verray feblynesse

But as he myght. hymselfe to sustene

He toke his horse. standyng on the grene

worthed vp. and forth he gan to ryde

An easy pace. with his woundes wyde

And shortly yet. in his opynyon

He was alwaye. aferde of treason

But anguysshous. and full of besy payne

He rode hym forth. tyll he dyde attayne

In to the bondes. of Lygurgus londe

How tydeꝰ all for woū ded come in to Lygurgus londe

A worthy kyng. and manly of his honde

And he full pale. oonly for lacke of blode

[Page]Tydeus sawe. where a castell stode

Stronge and myghty. bylte vpon a roche

Towarde whome. faste he gan approche

Conueyed thyder. by clerenesse of the stone

That by nyght. agayn the mone shone

On the towres. with crestes mar [...]yall

And Joynyng. all moost to the wall

Was a gardayne. lytyll oute besyde

In to whome. Tydeus gan to ryde

Of auenture. by a gate small

And there he founde. for to reken all

A lusty Erber. vnto his deuyse

Swete and fresshe. lyche a paradyse

Verray heuenly. of inspeccyon

And fyrste of all. he lyghted a doun

The goodly place. whan that he behelde

And from his nek. auoyded hath his shelde

Drawe his brydell. fro his horse hede

Lete hym goon. and take noo maner hede

Thrugh the gardayn. that enclosed was

Hym to pasture. on the grene gras

And Tydeus. more heuy than is lede

Vpon the herbes. grene whyte and rede

As hym thought. that tyme for the beste

He layde hym downe. for to take his reste

Of werynesse. desyrous to slepe

And none awayte. his body for to kepe

And with dremes. grutched euer amonge

[Page]There he laye. tyll the larke songe

with notes newe. hye vpon in the hayre

The glad morowe. rody and ryght fayre

Phebus also. castyng vp his bemes

The hye hylles. gylte with his stremes

The syluer dewe. vpon the herbes rounde

There Tydeus laye. vpon the grounde

Atte the vpryste. of the shene sonne

And stoundmele. his grene woundes ronne

Rounde aboute. that the soyll depeynte

Of the grene. with rede meynte

And euery morow. for holsumnesse of the heyre

How lygurgꝰ dought fonde tideꝰ slepyng in the erber al forwoūded

Lygurgus doughter. made her repayre

Of custome. ay among the floures newe

In the gardayne. of many dyuerse hewe

Suche Joye had. for to take hede

On her stalkes. for to see hem sprede

In the alayes walkyng to and fro

And whan she had. a lytyll whyle go

Her selfe allone. castyng vp her syght

She behelde. where an armed knyght

Laye to reste hym. on the herbes colde

And hym besyde. she gan eke beholde

His myghty stede. walkyug here and there

And she anone. fell in a maner fere

Specyally. whan she sawe the blode

Sprad all the grene. aboute there she stode

But at laste. she caught hardynesse

[Page]And womanly. gan her for to dresse

Toward this knyght. hauyng a maner of drede

And gan grete doute. lest yt he were dede

And of her wyll. soothly it was cheef

That she thought. for to make a preef

How that it stode. of this man full ofte

And forth she gooth. & touched hym full softe

There as he laye. with her hondes smale

And with a face dedely. bleyke and pale

Lyche as a man. dawed in a swone

Vp he sterte. and his swerde he drowe

Not fully oute. but put it vp agayne▪

Anone as he hath the lady sayne

Besechyng her. oonly of her grace

To haue pyte vpon his trespace

And rewe on hym. of her womanhede

For of afraye. he was falle in drede

Leste he had. assayled be of newe

Of the Thebans. preued full vntrewe

For dred of whiche he was soo recheles

Full humbly yeldyng hym to the pees

Truste in hymselfe. he passed had his boundes

And whan that she sawe his mortall woundes

She had routhe. of verraye gentellesse

Of his dysease. and of his dystresse

And bad he sholde. noo thyng be dysmayed

Howe womanly yt lady acquyteth her to tydeꝰ in his dysease

Nor in herte sorowfull. nor afrayed

Dyscomforte hym. in noo maner thyng

[Page]For I quod she. am doughter to the kyng

Called Lygurge. that gretly me delyte

Euery morowe. this gardayne to vysyte

It is to me. soo passyngly dysporte

wherfore quod she. byth of good comforte

For noo wyght here. touchyng your vyage

Shall hynder you. ne doo you noo domage

And yf ye lyste. of all youre aduenture

The playne trouthe. to me dyscure

I wyll in south. doo my besynesse

To refourme. your greuous heuynesse

with all my myght. and myne hole dylygence

That I hope. of youre grete offence

ye shall haue helpe. in youre aduersyte

And as ferforthe. as it lyeth in me

Trusteth right well. ye shall noo faute fynde

And whan he sawe. that he was kynge

Soo womanly. soo goodly and soo benygne

In all her porte. by many dyuerse sygne

He vnto her. by order wolde not spare

His aduentures. fully to declare

In thebes fyrste. touchyng his message

And all the hylle. of the wood rage

Of his woundes. and hurtes sore

It were but vayn. to reherse it more

By and by. he tolde her euery dele

The whiche in soth. she lyked neuer a dele

But had reuthe and compassyon

[Page]Of his myschyfe. wrought by false treason

Byddyng in haste. that he sholde her sue

And womanly. as her thought due

To a chambre she lad hym vp a lofte

How tydeꝰ was refesshed in the castell of ye lady

Full well besayn. there in a bed right softe

Rychely abouten apparayled

with clothe of golde. all the flore I rayed

Of the same. bothe in length and brede

And fyrste this lady. of her womanhede

Her wymmen bad. as goodly as she can

To be attendaunte. on this wounded man

And whan he was vnarmed to his sherte

She made fyrste. wasshe his woundes smerte

And serche hem well. with dyuerse instrumentis

And made fette. sondry oynementis

And leches eke. the beste that she coude fynde

Full craftely. to staunchen hem and to bynde

And euery thyng that maye doo hem ease

To swage his payne. or his woo to pease

was in the courte. and in the castell sought

And by her byddyng. to the chambre brought

And for his sake. she hath after sente

For suche deyntes. as were conuenyente

Moost nutrytyfe. by physykes lore

Hem that were syke. or wounded to restore

Makyng her wymmen. eke to taken kepe

And wayte on hym. a nyghtes whan he slepe

And be well ware. that noo thyng a sterte

[Page]That was or myght. be lusty to his herte

And with all this. she prayed hym to abyde

Tyll he were strong. and myghty for to ryde

In the castell. to playe hym and dysporte

And at leyser. home agayne resorte

whan he myght. bywelde hym at his large

But all for nought. he wyll home to Arge

Toke his leue. on the next daye

withoute abode. to haste hym on his waye

Lowly thankyng. vnto her goodnesse

Of her fredome. & of her bounteous largenesse

So wommanly. that her lyst take hede

Hym to refresshe. in his grete nede

Behotyng her. with all his full myght

He wolde be her seruaunte. and her knyght

whyle he lyueth. of what she wolde hem charge

How tydeꝰ repayreth home to Arge alle forwoūded & sore I hurte

And forth he rode. tyll he come to Arge

In full grete haste. & wolde noo where dwelle

But what sholde I rehersen other telle

Of his repayre. the costes or the playns

The craggy roches. or the hye mountayns

Or all the maner. of his home comyng

Of the metyng, or of the welcomyng

Nor the Joye that Adrastus made

Nor how his sus [...]re. ne his wyfe were glad

Nor how that they. where to sholde I wryte

Embrased hym. in her armes wyte

Nor the gaderyng. aboute hym ne the prece

[Page]Nor the sorowe. that Polymyte

Made in hymself. to see hym soo sore wounded

His greuous hurtes. his sorowes eke vnsounded

His dedely loke. and his face pale

Of all this. to gynne a newe tale

It were in south a maner ydelnesse

Nor how hymselfe. in ordre dyde expresse

Fyrste how that he. in Thebes hath hym borne

Nor how the kyng. falsly was forsworne

Nor of the awayte. nor treason that he sette

whan fyfty knyghtes. on the waye hym mette

As he haue herde. all the maner howe

withoute whiche. my tale is longe ynowe

But Adrastus. made men to seche

In euery coste. for many dyuerse leche

To come in haste. and make noo taryeng

Vpon a payne. by byddyng of the kyng

To done her crafte. that he were recured

And of his force. in euery parte assured

And they echone. soo her connynges shewe

That in space. of dayes fewe

He was all hole made. of his sykenesse

Tho was there Joye. th [...] was there gladnesse

Thorugh the courte. and thorugh all the town

For euery man. hath suche opynyon

In Tydeus. for his gentyllesse

For his manhode. and his lowlynesse

That he was holde. the moost famous knyght

[Page]And beste beloued. in euery mannes syght

Thorugh oute Grece. in euery regyon

But now muste I make. a dygressyon

To telle shortly. as in sentemente

Of thylke knyght. that Tydeus hath sente

In to Thebes. oonly to declare

The grete myschyfe. and the euyll fare

Vnto the kyng. how it is befall

The open trouthe. of his knyghtes all

How Tydeus hath slayne hym euerychone

Than saaf hymselfe. there escaped none

That were reserued. fro shedyng of his blode

The kyng to telle. playnly how it stode

And whan he had. rehersed euery poynte

Ethyocles stode. in suche dysioynte

Of hatfull yre. that he waxe nye wode

How ethyocles was as toned whā he herde ye deth of his knyghtes

And in his tene. and in his fell mode

Of cruell malyce. to the knyght he spake

And felly sayde. that it was for lake

Oonly of manhode. thorugh her cowardyse

That they were slayne. in soo mortall wyse

And hanged be he. hye by the nek

That of your deth. or of your slaughter rek

Or you complayne. other one or all

Of the myscheef. that is you befall

I doo noo force. that none of you asterte

But fye vpon. youre false coward herte

That one knyght. thrugh his hye renoune

[Page]Hāth brought you. all in confusyon

Full graceles. and full vnhappy to

Naye quod this knyght. it is not so

It is thyne vnhap. playnly and not oures

That soo many. worthy werryoures

whiche all her lyfe. neuer had shame

Excepte this quarell. taken in thyne name

That grounded was. and roted in falnesse

This was cause. in verray sykernesse

Of oure vnhappe. I wote well and none other

And the vntrouthe. done vnto thy brother

And that thou were. soo openly forsworne

A percell cause. why that we were forlorne

was false brekyng. of thyne assured othe

And tho the kyng. all moost mad for wrothe

In purpose was. for to slee this knyght

Oonly for he sayde vnto hym ryght

The whiche myles alas. both at eue & morowe

Supprysed was. with a dedely sorowe

Renewed ay in his remembraunce

with the pyteous. and vnhappy chaunce

Of the myscheef. and mysauenture

Touchyng the deth. and the dyscomfyture

Of his fers. and of hymselfe also

That the shamfaste. importable wo

Soo fratte on hym. with suche a mortall stryfe

That he was wery. of his owne lyfe

Hence a swerde. and a syde sterte

[Page]And roffe hymselfe. euen to the herte

The kyng hymselfe. beyng tho presente

That the romoure. and the noyse is wente

Thrugh oute all Thebes. and the wood rage

By suche as weren. Joyned by lynage

To the knyghtes. slayne atte hyll

That all attones. of one herte and wyll

They wolde haue rysen. thrugh out all the cyte

Vpon the kyng. auenged for to be

whiche of her dethe. was cheef occasyon

But the barons. and the lordes of the town

Full besy weren. this rumoue to dyscease

Of hye prudence. to stynten and appease

In quyete. euery thyng to sette

And after that the bodyes home they fette

Of the knyghtes. lyke as ye haue herde

A forne I slayne. with the blody swerde

Of Tydeus. full sharpe whette and grounde

And in the felde. soo as they hem founde

Oonly of loue. and of affeccyon

Solempnely. they brought hem to the town

And lyke the maner of her rightes olde

They were fyrste brente. in to asshes colde

Eueryche I buryed. lyche to his degree

Loo here kalendes of aduersytee

Sorowe vpon sorowe. and destruccyon

Fyrste of the kyng. and all the regyon

For lacke oonly. lyke as I you tolde

[Page]That behestes. truely were not holde

Fyrste grounde and rote. of this ruyne

As the story. clerely shall determyne

And myne tale herafter. shall you lere

If you lyste. the remenaunte for to here

¶ Explicit pars Secunda.

¶ Sequitur pars Tercia.

O Cruell Mars. full of malencolye

And of thy kynde. hote combust & drye

As the spercles. shewen fro soo fer

By the stremes. of the rede ster

In thy spere. as it aboute gothe

what was cause. that thou were soo wrothe

with hem of Thebes. thrugh whos feruent yre

The Cytee brente. and was sette a fyre

As bookes olde. well reherse konne

Of cruell hate. roted and begonne

And engendred. the story maketh mynde

Oonly of blood. corrupte and vnkynde

By infeccyon. called orygynall

Causyng a stryfe. dredfull and mortall

Of whiche the myscheef. thrugh all Grece ran

And kyng Adrastus. alder fyrste began

That hath hym caste. a conqueste for to make

Vpon Thebes. for Polymytes sake

[Page]In knyghtly wyse. there to preue his myght

Of full entente. to recure his ryght

And fyrste of all. he sette a parlyamente

And hath his lettres. and messengers sente

Thrugh out Grece. to many soundry kynges

Hem to enhaste. and make noo lettynges

And rounde aboute. as made is mencyon

He sente also. to many Regyon

For prynces dukes. lordes and barons

To taken vp. in cytees and in townes

And chesen out. the moost lyklyeste

And suche that waren preued for the beste

And of manhode. and sende hem vp echone

And in her honde. receyue her paye anone

with Adrastus. to Thebes for to ryde

The grete purueaūce of kyng Adrastus towarde ye cyte of thebes

And the lordes. that with hym abyde

In housholde styll haue her leue take

To ryden home. her retenu to make

In theyr countrees. as they were of degree

To stuffen hem. and to take vp mayne

And make hem strong. with knyght & squyres

with speres bowes. and with arblastres

In all the haste possyble. that they maye

And to retourne. in her beste araye

Atte terme sette. full manly to be sayen

To forne Arge. moustren in a playn

And as I rede. full worthy of degre

The kynges & prynces that come with adrastus

Thyder came fyrste. Prothonolope

[Page]The whiche was. by recorde of wrytyng

Of Archada. sone to the kyng

And full prudente. fonde in werre and peas

There come also. the kyng Cylmythenes

And as I fynde. full famous of renoun

Thyder come eke. the kyng Epymedon

And passyng all. of knyghthode and of name

And excellyng. by worthynesse of fame

The noble kyng. called Campaneus

Come eke to Arge. the story telleth vs

Proued right well. and had ryden fer

And thyder come. the kyng Melleager

Lryng Genor eke. that helde his royall sete

Myne auctoure sayth. in the londe of Crete

Lryng Laerys. and the kyng of Pyrrus

And eke the kyng. called Tortalanus

And renomed in many regyon

There come the kyng. I named Polemon

Ofte assayed and I founde. a manly knyght

That with hym brought. in stele armed bryght

Full many worthy. oute of his countree

And Tydeus. moost knyghtly for to see

That manly man. that noble werryoure

As he that was. of worthynesse floure

Mayster and myrrour. by prouesse of his honde

Hath sente also. in to the myghty londe

Of Calydonye. wherof he was heyre

That is a kyngdome. bothe riche and feyre

[Page]Chargyng his counseyll. and his offycers also

In all the haste. that it may be do

To seken oute the beste werryours

Of famous knyghtes. and proued saudyours

Thrugh all the lond. & leyd on hem this charge

withoute abode. for to come to Arge

And they obey shall. his byddyng

Enhastyng hem. and made noo lettyng

But sped hem faste. vpon her Journeye

And from Thebes. the myghty strong Cyte

Come downe knygh [...]. with many a nother mā

Mauger the kyng. to helpe what they can

Consydred fyrste. his falshede and treason

I mened oonly. of trouth and of reason

Polymytes. as they were sworne of yore

To his crowne. Justely to restore

And whan they wern. at large out of the towne

In to Arge they be descended downe

And lyke her othe. and theyre assuraunce

As they weren bounde. oonly of lygaunce

To hym they came. in full lowly wyse

Redy to done. what hym lyste to deuyse

And whan he had. her trouth full conceyued

He hath to grace. goodly hem receyued

Assygnyng hem. her place myd the ooste

Assembled there. fro many dyuerse coste

That fynally. in this companye

I gadred was. the floure of chyualrye

[Page]I chosen oute. of all Grekes londe

The moost knyghtly. & manfull of her honde

That I trowe. sythe the worlde began

There was not seen. soo many manly man

Soo well horsed. with spere and with shelde

Togyder assembled. sooth in a felde

There men myght see. many strange gyses

Of armyng newe. and vncouthe deuyse

Euery man after his fantasye

That yf I sholde. in order specyfye

Euery pees longyng to armure

And therupon. doo my besy cure

It were in south. almoost a dayes werke

And the termes. ben also to derke

To reherse hem clerely. and to ryme

I passe ouer. oonly for lacke of tyme

And telle I wolde. forth of her lodgyng

How Adrastus. the noble worthy kyng

Hath euery lorde. lyke to his degree

Receyueth well. within his cytee

And there they had. lyke to her pleasaunce

Of what nedeth. fulsome habondaunce

For man and horse. plente of vytayle

Commaundyng. that noo thyng ne fayle

That all these noble werreours

Bothe hye and lowe. and pooer saudyours

I serued were. of that they had nede

For Adrastus. prudently toke hede

what vayleth a kyng to pay his peple truly her soude

[Page]Full lyke a kyng. touchyng her terme daye

That they to forne. were serued of her paye

He was soo free. hym lyste▪ nothyng restrayne

And noo man. had cause to complayne

Hunger. thurste. nor Indygence

And in a prynce. it is full grece offence

Nota

As clerkes sayn. and a grece repre [...]e

To suffre his people. lyuen at myschefe

It is full heuy. and greuous in her thought

If he habonde. and they haue ryght nought

He maye not both. possede good and herte

He to be riche. and seen his people smerte

He maye the body. of poore well constreyne

But her herte. hath a full longe reyne

Mauger his myght. to louen at large

There maye noo kyng. on hertes sette a charge

Nor hem cohercen. from her lybertee

Men seen full ofte. how that thought is free

For whiche eche prynce. lorde and gouernoure

And specyally. euery conqueroure

Lete hym beware. for all his noblesse

That bounte fredome. plente and largesse

By one accorde. that they his brydell lede

Leste of his people. whan he hath moost nede

He be defrauded. whan he is but allone

Than is to late. for to make his mone

Nota Howe loue auaylethe more a kynge thā gold or grete rychesse

But in his courte. lete hym fyrste deuyse

To exyle scarshede and couetyse

[Page]Than is he lykly. with fredome yf he gynne

Loue of his people. euermore to wynne

To regne longe. in honoure and contune

Ay to encrease. by fauoure of fortune

And his enmyes. manly to oppresse

For loue is more. than golde or grete richesse

Golde fayleth ofte. loue wyll abyde

For lyste or deth. by a lordes syde

And the tresoure. shortly of a kyng

Standeth in loue. aboue all thyng

Fare well lordshyp. bothe morowe and eue

Specyally. whan loue taketh his leue

And who so lyste. a myrrour for to make

Of kyndly fredome. lete hym ensample take

Of Adrastus. the manly kyng famous

Soo lyberall. soo bounteous

Unto his people. at all tyme founde

Whiche made hym strong. his fomen to confoū de

And loue oonly. his enmyes to werreye

All grece. made his byddyng to obeye

Of one accorde. knyghtly by his syde

All attones. to Thebes for to ryde

For tauenge. syth they were soo strong

The grete Iniurye. and the Importable wrong

Done to his sone. and to his next allye

As ye to forne. haue harde me specyfye

But whyle Grekes. areste a whyle in pes

I wyll resorte to Ethyocles

Nota

[Page]with Inne Thebes. warly hath aspyed

By his frendes. as he was certefyed

Of the Grekes. hole the ordynaunce

Her purpos eke. and her purueaunce

And therof had in herte. a maner drede

And fyrste he toke. his counseyll and his rede

Of the lordes. and of the barons of the town

And of the wysest. of his regyon

How he myght. maken resystence

Manly to standen. at defence

To be strong. that there were noo doubte

How ethyo cles made him strong ayen the comyng of ye Grekes

And in tho contrees. adiacente aboute

And eke▪ also. in foreyn regyons

He hath withholde. all the champyons

And therupon. he sente oute his aspyes

And his frendes. and his next allyes

And all the worthy. dwellyng enuyrowne

Yonge fresshe and lusty. he gadred in to towne

Maskowede his walles. and his hye toures

And stuffed hem. with many sadyoures

Rounde aboute. he sette many gonnes

Grete and smale. and some large as tonnes

And in his hasty. passyng feruente hete

He spente his tresoure. and gaf yeftes grete

Unto knyghtes. and worthy men of name

And euermore. to encrease his fame

He yafe to lordes. Jewels many folde

Clothes of veluette. of damaske and of golde

[Page]To gete hym hertes. sothly as I rede

To helpe hym now. in this grete nede

And prudently purueyed hym to fome

Of flesshe and fysshe. and of wyne and corne

Sette his Capyteyns. erly and late

with full styfe stronge. at euery gate

He made also. by werkmen that were trewe

Barbycans. and bolwerkes newe

Barres chaynes. and dyches wounder depe

Makyng his vowe. the Cytee for to kepe

whyle he lyueth. despyte of all his foon

And by his goddes. of metall and of stoon

Full ofte he swore. bothe of herte and thought

That it shall fyrste. full dere ben a bought

And many a man. with pollax & swerd & knyfe

To forne this towne. fyrste shall lese his lyfe

And there shall eke. many sydes blede

Or his brother. peasybly possede

The towne in peas. lyke as Grekes wene

But atte ende. the trouth shall be sene

Lete hym beware. and well to forne prouyde

For Adrastus. on that other syde

For his parte. was not neclygente

But on a daye. helde a parlyamente

All his lordes. syttyng enuyron

To dryue shortly. a playne conclusyon

And vp thappoynte. the fyne of her entente

But some thought. full expedyente.

[Page]Of they procede. to werke by thauyse

Of one that was. full prudente and right wyse

And circumspecte. in his werkes all

A worthy bysshop. in to age fall

And called was sothly by his name

How ye bysshop āphio rax was sēt for to come to ye grekes

Amphyorax. of whome the grete fame

Thrugh all the londe. both est and south

Among Grekes. passyngly was couth

A man in sothe. of olde antyquyte

And moost excepted. of auctoryte

Fyrste by reason. of his hye estate

And eke. for he was soo fortunate

In his werkes. and was also secree

with the goddes. knowyng her pryuetee

By graunte. of whome as bokes specyfye

He had a spyryte. of trewe prophecye

And coude a forne. full openly dyuyne

Thynges begonne. how they sholde fyne

And eke by crafte. of calculacyon

Gyue a dome. of euery questyon

And had in Magyk. grete experyence

And fynde coude. by heuenly Influence

And by meanyng. of hye sterres

A fynall dome. of contek and of werres

And wyst well. as his goddes tolde

And wyste well ye trew ꝓphecye of bisshop amphyorax

That yf Grekes. forth her Journey holde

It tourne sholde. platly this noo phage

To grete myschyfe. and to grete domage

[Page]

Of hem echone. and in especyall

The moost parte. of the blode royall

Thrugh all Grece. it maye not be withdrawe

In this vyage. shortly shall be slawe

And yf hymselfe. with the Grekes wente

who that euer wepte. hym or by mente

This was the fyne. and maye not be socoured

Of the erthe. he sholde be deuoured

Quyke as he was. he knew none other in serteyne

And for he saw. there was non̄ other geyne

To saue his lyfe. nor noo bet defence

Than vtterly. to withdrawen his presence

Prayeng his wyfe. for hym to prouyde

If he were sought. that she wolde hym hyde

And womanly. for to kepe hym close

And of trouth. councelen his purpose

For all his truste. touchyng his greuaunce

was fully sette. in her preuyaunce

I hope to god. that he nede not drede

Of noo decerte. in her womanhede

She was soo trewe. as wȳmen ben euerychone

And also close. and muet as a stone

That she ne wolde. as the mater stode

Dyscuren hym. for noo wordly gode

But fynally. the Grekes of entente

In all his drede. haue for the bysshop sente

Though it was long. or they myght hym fynde

For cause his wyfe. was to hym soo kynde

[Page]That full suerly. hath locked vp his cors

But for she had. a maner remors

In her selfe. greuyng her conscyence

How yt wyt of amphyo rax of conscience to sa ue her othe discured hir husbonde

Dredyng to falle. in full grete offence

Leste her soule. were in perell lorne

whan she by othe. compelled was a sworne

There requyryng. yf she coude telle

where her lorde. the bysshop sholde dwelle

whiche to dyscure. her herte was full lothe

Tyll tyme she ganne. remembren on her othe

And coude a trouthe of custome not denye

And had also grete conscyence to lye

wounder heuy. with a sorowfull face

Mauger her luste. taught hem to the place

where as he was. shytte vp in a toure

All allone. hauyng noo socoure

They fell on hym. or that he was ware

And sette hym vp. in a full riche chare

A grete fole he was. to yeoparde his lyfe

For to dyscure. his counseyll to his wyfe

And yet she was. full sory for his sake

Specyally whan she sawe hym take

But I hope. that her heuynesse

Gan a swage. full sone by processe

In shorte tyme. whan that he was gone

There is no tempeste. that may lest euer in one

But this bysshop. by verray force and myght

Unto Grekes. conueyed was full ryght

[Page]This hore graye. in his chare syttyng

And they full glad. were of his comyng

Hauyng a truste. and full opynyon

And thorugh cause. and occasyon

Of his wysdome. and his sapyence

And by vertue. of his hye presence

They sholde eschewe. all aduersytee

Possyble to falle. as in her Journee

And as the storye. fully hath deuysed

Full circumspecte. and right well aduysed

He hath pronounced. in the parlyamente

To forne the lordes. and the presydente

His clere conceyte. in verray sykernesse

Not entryked with noo doublenesse

Her dysmole dayes. and her fatall houres

Her aduentures. and her sharpe shoures

The frowarde sorte. and the vnhappy stoūdes

The complayntes. of her dedely woūdes

The wofull wrath. and the contrauerse

Of fell Mars. and his cruelte

And how by meane. of his gery mode

There shalbe shed. all the worthy blode

Of the Grekes. it maye not be eschewed

If her purpose. be execute and sewed

There is noo more. this shall be the fyne

The hye noblesse. shall drawe to declyne

Of Grekes blood. in myschyfe sorow and wo

And with all this. I myselfe also

[Page]As my fate. hath to forne dysposed

Depe in the grounde. I shall be enclosed

And locked vp. in the derke vale

Of cruell deth. loo this was the tale

That the bysshop to Adrastus tolde

Hym counseylyng. his purpos to withholde

In eschewyng. of more myscheef and sorowe

For all his goodes. he take vnto borowe

Yf the Thebans. and the Grekes mete

The fyne therof. shall be vnswete

That all Grece. after shall it rewe

warnyng hym. yf they the myscheef knewe

That shall folowe. that noo man maye lette

They wolde abstene. a sege for to [...]ette

Unto Thebes. and her purpos leue

with whos wordes. the lordes gan hem greue

And there in had. but full smale delyte

And euery chone. of herely hye despyte

They abrayde. and sayd he was vntrewe

A contryuer. of prophecyes newe

And eke also. for his long berde

And olde dottarde. a cowarde and a ferde

And of rancoure. gan to defye

Bothe his calkyng. and his astronomye

And sayd shortly. they toke therof none hede

Ne wyll no thyng. gouerne hem after his rede

This was the clamoure. & noyse in euery coste

Of hye and lowe. thorugh oute all the hoste

[Page]And specyally of the saudyours

And of lordes. regnyng in floures

And of the states. effectuelly I mene

whiche of age. were but tender and grene

That haue not had. by Martys Influence

Of the werre. grete experyence

Here yf ye lyste. ye maye consyder and see

Of conceytes. full grete dyuersytee

How that youthe. noo peryll caste a forne

Tyll the myschyfe. sodeynly be borne

Where as age prouydeth euery thyng

Or he begynne. to casten the endyng

youthe is gouerned by a large reyne

How age & youthe ben of dyuerse opynyons

To renne forth. and can not hym refrayne

But of hede. sette on all attones

As he that hurtlyth. agayn the harde stones

Broseth hymselfe. vnwarly and parbraketh

But age experte. noo thyng vndertaketh

But to forne. of good dyscrecyon

Make a due examynacyon

How it wyll tourne. other to bad or good

But youthe as faste. as stered is the blood

Take empryses. of hasty wylfulnesse

Joye at gynnyng. the ende is wretchednesse

The olde prudente. in all his gouernaunce

Full longe a forne. maketh purueaunce

But youthe alas. by counseyll wyll not werke

For whiche full ofte. he stombleth in the derke

[Page]Thus selde is seen. the trouth to termyne

That age and youthe. drawe by one lyne

And where that folye hath denomynacyon

wysdome is putte in to subieccyon

Lyke as this bysshop. with all his hye prudence

For cause. he myght haue none audyence

All his wysdome. and his prophecye

How ye wysdom without suppor tacōn auay leth lytyll or nought

Of the Grekes. was holden but folye

For though Plato. and wyse Socrates

Morall Senek. and Dyogenes

Albumazar. and prudente Tholome

And Tullyus. that had soueraynte

whylom in Rome. as of eloquence

Though all these. shorly in sentence

were a lyue. moost connyng and experte

And noo man. lyste her counseyll to aduerte

Nor of her sawes. for to taken hede

what myght auayle. and it come to nede

For where prudence. can fynde noo socoure

And prouydence. hath noo fauoure

Fare well wysdome. fare well dyscrecyon

For lacke oonly. of supportacyon

For vnsupported. with his lockes hore

Amphyorax. syghen gan full sore

with hede enclyned. and many euyll thought

whan yt he sawe. his counseyll stonde for nought

For vtterly. the Grekes as I tolde

Haue fully caste. her Journey for to holde

[Page]Made hem redy. and gonnen to hosteye

Towarde Thebes. the Cytee to werrey

And forth with hem. Amphyorax they carye

And in Grece. wyll noo lenger tarye

Sytte in his chare. with a doolfull herte

whan he wyst. he myght not asterte

Of his fate. his dysposycyon

And hostyng. in to the regyon

Of Lygurgus. Grekes gan approche

A sondy londe. with many a craggy roche

But all the waye. sothly that they gone

For horse nor man. water was there none

Soo drye was the vales. and the playnes

For all that yere. they hadden had noo reynes

But full grete drought. as made is mencyon

The grete myscheef yt grekes had of ye defaut of water

And all the londe. serchyng enuyron

They nother fonde. well ne ryuere

Hem to refresshe. ne water that was clere

But they alas. noo refute ne conne

Soo importable. was the shene sonne

Soo hote on hem. in feldes where they lay

That for myscheef. man and horse gan dey

Gapyng full drye. vpward in to south

And some putten. her swerdes in her mouth

And spere hedes. in story as it is tolde

Taswage her thurste. with the yron colde

And of his lyfe. full many one dyspayred

In this myscheef. and home agayne repayred

[Page]Tyll on a daye. worthy Tydeus

And with hym eke. the kyng Campanous

Of purpos rode. thorugh oute the countree

If they myght. ony water see

From coste to coste. bothe fer and nere

Tyll of fortune. they entred an herbere

with trees shadowed. for the sonne shene

Full of herbes. and of floures grene

wonder holsome. both of syght and hayre

There Inne a lady. that passyngly was fayre

Syttyng as tho. vnder a laure tre

And in her armes. a lytyll childe had she

Full gracyous. of loke and of vysage

And was also. wounder tender of age

Sone of the kyng. borne to succede

Called Lygurgus. in story as I rede

whoos hertly Joye. and worldly eke dysporte

All his myrthe. pleasance and comforte

was in this childe. of excellente fayrenesse

And this lady. myrroure of semlynesse

All sodeynly. as she caste vp her syght

And on his stede. sawe an armed knyght

Gretely abasshed. gan anone renue

But Tydeus. after gan to sue

And sayd. syster byth nothyng dysmayed

In youre selfe. dyspleased nor affrayed

For we are come. oonly to this place

How tydeꝰ cōplayneth to the lady in the erber for water

you to beseche. of mercy and of grace

[Page]Vs to socoure. in oure grete nede

Declaryng you. how it stonde in dede

Here faste by. all moost at honde

The worthyest. of all Grekes londe

Lrynges prynces. ben lodgyng in the felde

And many other. with pollax spere and shelde

whiche in myscheef. parell and grete drede

For want of water. ben lykly to be dede

For there was none. of hye ne lowe degree

In all oure Dost. now passed dayes three

That dranke. alas excepte none estate

Oure vyage. is soo Infortunate

Prayeng you. of womanly pyte

Benygnely. and gracyously for to see

How of grece. all the chyualrye

Of her lyues. stant in ieopardye

That ye wolde of womanhede tell

If ye knowe. ryuer spryng or well

Specyally nowe. in all oure care

Of gentyllesse. vnto vs declare

Loo here is all. yf ye lyste to here

That ye wyll seyn. myn owne syster dere

And whan this lady Inly vertuous

How the lady taughte tydeus to ye well

The complaynte herde. of worthy Tydeus

Of verray pyte. changeth chere and hewe

And in her herte. vpon her woo gan rewe

And full goodely. seeng his dystresse

Sayde vnto hym. in all his heuynesse

[Page]Certes quod she. yf I were at large

Touchyng this childe. of whom I haue charge

I sholde in haste. of all that dooth you greue

To my power. helpen to releue

Oonly of reuthe. and compassyon

And leue all other occupacyon

Conueye you. and be youre trewe gyde

To a ryuer. but lytyll here besyde

But I dare not. soo moche me assure

This lytyll childe. to putte in auenture

I am soo ferfull. from it to departe

But for youre sake. that I in parte

My lyfe my dethe. of trewe affeccyon

To prouyde. for youre sauacyon

Toke the childe. and leyde it in her lappe

And richely in clothes. gan it wrappe

And couched it among the herbes soote

And leyde aboute. many holsom roote

And floures eke. bothe blewe and rede

And supprysed. with a maner drede

With Tydeus forth anone she wente

As she in trouth. that noo treason mente

And in her waye. wolde she neuer dwell

Tyll she hym brought. to a right fayre well

And to a ryuer. of water right habonde

But who was glad. and who was tho Joconde

But Tydeus seeng the ryuer

whiche in all the haste. sente his messenger

[Page]To Adrastns. and bade hym not abyde

But downe descende. to the ryuer syde

with all thoost. recure for to haue

Atte this ryuer. her lyues for to saue

And this enhaste. hem makyng none abode

All attones. to the ryuer rode

For to drynke. they had soo grete luste

Of appetyte. for to stanche her thruste

And some dronke. and foūde it dyde them good

And some were soo feruente and soo wood

Upon the water. that in sykernesse

Thrugh vndyscrete. and hasty gredynesse

Oute of mesure. the water soo they drynke

That they fyll dede. euen vpon the brynke

And some naked. in to the ryuer ronne

Oonly for hete. of the somer sonne

To bathen hem. the water was soo colde

And some also. as I haue you tolde

I mene tho. that prudente weren and wyse

The water dranke. in mesurable wyse

That of the thurste. they haue toforne endured

They were refresshed. fully and recured

And Grekes than. of hye and lowe degree

For hye profyte. and grete commodytee

Compas the ryuer. crystallyn of syght

Of one accorde. there her tentes pyght

To reste hem. there in relees of her payne

Oonly the space. of a daye or twayne

[Page]And whyles Grekes. vpon the ryuer laye

This Tydeus. vpon the same daye

Full knyghtly. hath doo his dylygence

This yonge lady. with grete reuerence

To Adrastus. goodly to presente

Atte whoos comyng. the kyng hymselfe wente

Agaynst her. she fallyng downe on her knees

All the states. presente and degrees

Of grekes londe. absente was not one

And in his armes. toke her vp anone

Thankyng her. and of her besynesse

Of her laboure. and her kyndnesse

Behotyng her. lyke as he was holde

If ony thyng. playnly that she wolde

That he maye done. she sholde it redy fynde

And Grekes all. the story maketh mynde

Of the states. beyng tho presente

Thanked her. with all her hole entente

For the refresshyng. done to many a Greke

And for her parte. they behyght her eke

with her bodyes. and goodes bothe twoo

what her lyste. commaunde hem for to doo

To be redy platly. and not fayle

And here myne auctour. maketh rehersall

That this lady. soo fayre vpon to see

Of whome the name. was Isyphyle

To Adrastus tolde. as ye maye rede

Lynealy the stok of her kynrede

[Page]Whylom how she a kynges doughter was

Rehersyng hym. hole all the caas

Fyrste why that she. oute of her countree wente

Shortly. for she nolde not assente

To execute. a conspyracyon

Made by the wymmen. of that regyon

A thyng contrarye. and ayenste all ryght

That eche of hem. vpon a certayn nyght

By one accorde. shall warly take kepe

Fader broder. and husbondes in her slepe

with knyues sharpe. and rasours kene

Lrytte her throtes. in that mortall tene

Vnto this fyne. as Bochas tell can

In all that londe. be not founde a man

But slayn echone. to this conclusyon

That wymmen myght haue domynacyon

In that kyngdome. to regne at lyberte

And on noo parte. interrupted be

But for this lady. passyng debonayre

To this morder. was froward and contrarye

Lrepte her fader. that he was not slawe

But fro the dethe. preserued and wythdrawe

For whiche alas. she fled the countree

And of a pyrat. taken in the see

To kyng Lygurgus. broughten in all drede

And for her trouthe. and her womanhede

To her he toke his yong childe to kepe

whiche in the herber. alone lefte to slepe

[Page]whan Tydeus. she brought to welle

And by Jason. some bokes telle

Jason

That this lady. had sones two

whan that he. and Hercules also

Hercules

Towarde Colchos. by her countree cam

For tacomplysshe. the conquest of the Ram

But who that lyste. by and by for to see

The story hole. of this Isyphyle

Isyphyle

Her faders name. of whiche also I wente

Though some seyn. he named was Toante

And some bokes. Vermes eke hym call

But to knowe. the auentures all

Of this lady. Isyphyle the fayre

Soo faythfull ay. and Inly debonayre

Loke on the boke. that Johan Bochas made

whylom of wymmen. with Rothorykes glad

And dyrecte. by full souerayne style

To fayre Jane. the quene of Secyle

Rede there the Rubrysshe of Isyphyle

Of her trouth. and of her hye bountye

Full craftely compyled. for her sake

And whan that she. hath her leue take

Of Adrastus. homewarde in her waye

Tydeus. gan her to conueye

To the gardeyn. tyll she is repayred

But now alas. my mater dysepeyred

Of all Joye. and of all welfulnesse

And destytute. of myrthe and all gladnesse

[Page]For now of woo. gynneth the sharpe shoures

For this lady founde. among the floures

Her lytyll childe. tourned vp the face

Howe the childe was slayn with a serpent

Slayne of a serpente. in the selfe place

Her tayle burled. with scales syluer shene

The venyin. was soo persyng and soo kene

Soo perylous. eke the mortall vyolence

Caused alas. thorugh her long absence

She was to slowe. homewarde for to hye

But now can she. but wepe wayle and crye

Now can she not. but syghen and complayne

And wofully. wryng her hondes twayne

Dedely of loke. pale of face and chere

And gan to rende. her gylte tresses clere

And ofte sythe. gan she saye alas

I wofull wretche. vnhappy in this caas

what shall I doo. or wheder shall I tourne

For this the fyne. yf I there soiourne

I wote right well. I maye not escape

The pyteous fate. that is for me shape

Socoure is none. nor there maye be noo rede

Lyche my decerte. but that I mote be dede

For thorugh my slouth. and my neclygence

I haue alas. done soo grece offence

That my gylte. I maye not excuse

Shall to the kyng. of treason me accuse

Thorugh my defaute. and slouth bothe two

His sone is dede. and his heyre also

[Page]whiche he loueth. more than all his gode

For tresoure. none soo nye his herte stode

Nor was soo depe. graue in his corage

That he is lykly. to falle in a rage

whan it is soo. myne odyous offence

Reported be. vnto his audyence

Soo Importable. shall be his heuynesse

And well wote I. in verray sothfastnesse

That whan the kyng. hath this espyed

To myne excuse. it maye not be denyed

I doubte it not. there geyneth noo pyte

with oute respyte. he wyll auenged be

On me alas. I haue deserued

That fro the deth. I maye not be preserued

Nother by bylle. ne supplycacyon

For the rage. of my transgressyon

Requyreth deth. and none other mede

And thus alas. quakyng in her drede

None other helpe. ne remedye [...]an

But dreynte in sorowe. to the Grekes ran

Of hertly woo. face and chere desteyned

And her chekes. with wepyng all bereyned

In her affraye. dystracte and furyous

To forne all. she come to Tydeus

And fyll on knees. & gan her complaynt make

Tolde playnly. that for Grekes sake

She mote be dede. and shortly in substance

Rehersyng hym. the grete of her greuance

[Page]Fyrste how by traynes. of false serpente

The childe was slayne. whyle she was absente

In what dysioynte. and perell that she stode

And whan that he. her myschyfe vnderstode

Vnto her. full knyghtly he behyght

To helpe and further. all that euer he myght

Her pyteous wo. to stynten and appeale

And for to fynde. vnto her dysease

Hasty comforte. he wente a full grete pase

To Adrastus. and tolde hym all the caas

Of this vnhappy. wofull aduenture

Besechyng hym. to done his besy cure

As he was bounde. of equyte and ryght

And aduerten. and to haue a syght

How she quyte her. to Grekes here to forne

whan they were lykly. for to haue be lorne

The socour voyde. of her womanhede

Of whiche he muste. of knyghthode take hede

To remedyen this vnhappy thyng

And Adrastus. lyke a worthy kyng

Taquyte hymselfe. the story maketh mynde

To this lady. wyll not to be founde vnkynde

Nother for coste. nor for noo trauayle

But besy was. in all that myght auayle

To her socoure. consydered all thynges

And by thauyse. of all the worthy kynges

Of Grekes londe. they ben accorded thus

Prynces dukes. and worthy Tydeus

[Page]To holde her waye. and all attones ryde

To Lygurgus. dwellyng there besyde

Of one entente. yf they maye purchace

In ony wyse. for to gete grace

For this lady. called Isyphyle

They wolde assaye. yf it myght be

And to his paleys. full royall bylte of stone

The worthy Grekes. cam rydyng euerychone

Euery lorde. full fresshely on his stede

And Lygurgus. example of manlyhede

Anone as he knewe. of her comyng

Taquyte hymselfe. lyche a gentyll kyng

Agayn hem wente. to mete hem on the waye

Full well beseen. and in full good araye

Receyuyng hym. with a full kyngly chere

And to Adrastus sayde. as ye shall here

Cosyn quod he. and gan hym to enbrace

ye be welcome. to youre owne place

Thankyng hertely. to your hye noblesse

That soo goodly. of youre gentyllesse

Towardes me. ye lyste you taquyte

youre selfe daye. youre Cosyn to vysyte

In this castell. to make youre lodgyng

That neuer yet. I was soo glad of thyng

And all my lyfe. and there to here my trouthe

And euermore. there shall be noo slouthe

That the chambres. and the large toures

Shall be delyuered. to your herberyours

[Page]That euery lorde. as is of degree

Vnto his lodgyng. assygned shall be

Youre offycers. lete hemselfe deuyse

If the housyng. maye largely suffyse

To you and youres. stretchen and attayne

That none estate. haue cause to complayne

And all youre hoost. lodged here besyde

whiche in tentes. vpon you abyde

Lete hem fette. by myne auctoryte

Vytayle you here in my cyte

And all that maye. hem socoure or saue

And at a worde. all that euer I haue

Is full and hole. at youre commaundemente

Quod Adrastus. that is not oure entente

How adrastꝰ & all the stat [...] of grekes prayed lygurgꝰ for the lyfe of Isyphyle

Nor in noo partye. cause of oure comyng

For we come. all for a nother thyng

A certeyn gyfte. of you to requyre

Benygnely. yf ye lyste to here

whiche maye Grekes. passyngly auayle

Of youre request. that ye not ne fayle

whiche we dare not openly expresse

withoute that ye wolde of gentyllesse

youre graunte a forne. conferme an ratyfye

Than were we bolde. it to specyfye

Quod Lygurgus. what thyng euer it be

Nought excepted. by oonly thynges thre

The fyrste thyng is it. toucheth not my lyfe

My yong sone playnly. ne my wyfe

[Page]Take all my good. or what ye lyste prouyde

Of my tresoure. and sette these thre a syde

All the surplus. I counte not at a myte

Than Adrastus. astoned was a lyte

whan Lygurgus in conclusyon

Of his sone. dyde make excepcyon

And whyles they thus entreaten I fere

There come forth one. with a woofull chere

Of face. of loke pale and noo thyng rede

A lowde cryeth. the kynges sone is dede

Alas the whyle. that whylom was soo fayre

After Lygurgus borne. for to ben hayre

The whiche alas. hath yolden vp the brethe

As a serpente. stongen vnto the dethe

And with his wounde. newe fresshe and grene

In therber. lyeth that pyte is to sene

And hath soo layen. all moost all this daye

That whan Lygurgus harde this affraye

And wyste his childe was dede. & had no moo

Lytyll wounder. though that he were woo

For sodeynly. the Importable smerte

The sorowe ye kyng ligurgꝰ made for ye dethe of his child & ye lamētacōn of the quene

Ran anone. and hente hym by the herte

That for constreyne. of his dedely peyne

Thorugh oute he felte. koruen euery veyne

The rage gan myne. in hym soo depe

That he can not. but sygh sobbe and wepe

And with the noyse. and lamentacyon

The quene destraught. is descended doun

[Page]And whan she knew. groūde of all this sorowe

It nede her noo teres for to borowe

But twenty tyme. by vpon a rowe

A swoune she fell. vnto the grounde lowe

And stounde mele. for this hye myschaūce

Styll as stone. she lyggeth in a traūce

And whan it. in to the courte was brought

Therfore Lygurgus alas. I wyte hym nought

Vpon the cors. with a mortall face

He fell attones. and gan it to embrace

Sore to grype. and agayn vp sterte

That whan Adrastus. gan this aduerte

Of kyngly reuthe. and compassyon

From his eyen. there teres fell doun

Eke kynges dukes. that aboute stode

O only of pyte. that is in gentyll blode

Noo power had the water to restrayne

That on her chekes. downe gan to reyne

But all a daye. wolde not suffyse

All her sorowes. in order to deuyse

Fyrste of the kyng. and of the quene also

To tellen all. I sholde neuer haue do

Nought in the space. all moost of an houre

But whan the stormes. and sharpshoures

Of her wepyng. was somewhat ouer gone

The lytyll cors. was grauen vnder stone

And Adrastus. in the same tyde

Lygurgus toke. alyte oute asyde

[Page]And full wysely. with his prudente speche

The quene presente. gan hym for to teche

That soo to sorowe. auayle maye right nought

Agayns de the may be no recure

To morder hymselfe. with his owne thought

Syth los of deth. noman maye recure

Though he in woo. perpetuelly endure

All helpeth not. whan the soule is go

And oure lyfe here. who taketh hede therto

Is but an exyle. and a pylgrymage

Full of tourmente. and of bytter rage

Lyche a see. rennyng to and fro

Suyng an ebbe. whan the flode is do

Lytyll space. abydyng at full

Of whoos soiourne. the [...]ope yeueth noo bull

Nor kyng is. nor duke no Emperoure

That may hym shroude. agayn yt fatall shoure

Of cruell deth. whan hym lyste manasse

To marke a man. with his mortall mace

That geyneth not. to his sauacyon

Nother franchyse. ne proteccyon

And lytyll or nought. maye helpe in this caas

Saue conduyte. or supersydeas

For in this worlde. who loketh a ryght

Is none soo grete. of power ne of myght

None soo riche. shortly ne none soo holde

That he muste dye. other yong or olde

And who in youthe passeth this passage

He is escaped. all the wood rage

[Page]All sorow and trouble. of this presente lyfe

Replenysshed. with contek warre and stryfe

whiche selde or neuer. stonde in suerte

wherfore beste is. as semeth vnto me

Noo man grutche. but of hye prudence

The sonde of god. take in pacyence

And ye that be soo manly to

youre lyfe to drowne. in tournement and in wo

For losse of thyng. that ye lyste to see

whiche in noo wyse. recured may be

Is grete foly. and vndyscrecyon

And thus Adrastus. hath conueyed doun

The substance hole. of that he wolde saye

Tyll that he fonde. a tyme for to praye

Conuenyente. for Isyphyle

Besechyng hym. for to haue pyte

Of that she hath. his hyghnesse

Not wylfully. but reklesnesse

Fyrste that he wolde. his domes to deuyde

Mercy preferre. and sette right asyde

Atte requeste and prayer. of hem all

Of this vnhap. and myscheef that is befall

By hasty rygoure. and not to vengaunce

But thyng a forne. in his purueaunce

who to wretches. dooth mercy in her drede

Shall mercy fynde. whan he hath moost nede

And syth he hath. power myght and space

Lete hym take this lady to his grace

[Page]For lacke of ruthe. that she nought dye

But tho the quene. gan ayen replye

And platly sayde. as in this mater

Auayleth not. request nor prayer

Pyte mercy. noo remyssyon

But yf it be. by this condycyon

But yf the serpente. cause of all this sorowe

Though his laboure. leye his hede to borowe

This is fynall. and vtter recompense

To fynde grace. for her grete offence

Or shortly shede. blode for blode

And whan the Grekes. her answer vnderstode

All of one accorde. in her beste wyse

Toke on hem. this auentures empryse

For loue oonly of Isyphyle

And gan to ryde. enuyron the countre

By hylles vales. roches and eke caues

In dyches darke. and in olde graues

By euery coste. serchyng vp and downe

Tyll [...]at laste. full famous of renowne

The worthy knyght. Parthonolope

How parthonolope sawe fyrste this serpēt

was the fyrste. that happed to se

This hydeous serpente. by a ryuer syde

Grete and horryble. stern and full of pryde

Vnder a roche. by a banke lowe

And in all haste. he hent a sturdy bowe

And there in sette. an arowe fyled kene

And thrugh the body. spotted blewe and grene

[Page]Full myghtely. he made it for to glyde

And rente oute a swerde. hangyng by his syde

Smote of his hede. and anone it hente

And therwith all. gan the quene presente

Where thorugh. her sorow parcell gan a swage

And thus of prowesse. and of hye corage

This manly man. Parthonolope

Hath reconsyled. fayre Isyphyle

Vnto grace. fully of the quene

Her yre auoyed. and her olde tene

And by Adrastus. medyacyon

Lryng Lygurgus. graunted a pardon

To this lady. that from all daunger fre

She was restored. to her lyberte

In her paleys. all her lyfe to dwell

Though Johan Bochas. the contrarye tell

For this auctoure. affyrmed oute of drede

That whā this childe. was by the serpent dede

She durste not. for her grete offence

Neuer after come in presence

Of Lygurgus. but of intencyon

Fled anone oute. of that regyon

A [...]te herte she toke. the childes dethe soo sore

what fell of her. I fynde can noo more

Than ye haue herde. me a fore specyfye

And the kyngdome. but kookes lye

Nota De Ligurgꝰ rege regni tracee

Of Lygurgus. was I called trace

And as I rede. in a nother place

[Page]He was the same myghty champyon

To Athenes. that cam with palamon

Agaynst his brother. that called was Arcyte

Lad in his chare. with .iiii. boles whyte

Vpon his hede. a wreth of golde full fyne

And I fynde eke. how Bachus god of wyne

Bachus deus vinū

with this kyng. was whylom at debate

Oonly for he. pompous and elate

Destruccyon dyde. to his vynes

And for he fyrste. allaye sette on wynes

Meynte water. where they were to strong

And this Bachus. for the grete wrong

Brake his lymmes. and dreynte hym in the see

Of Lygurgus. ye gete noo more of me

But the trouth. yf ye lyste verryfye

Notādū de xii arboriꝰ in libro bochacii de geneologya deo (rum)

Rede of goddes. the geneologye

Lyneally. her kynrede by degrees

Ibraūched oute. vpon twelue trees

Made by Bochas. Decertaldo called

Amonge poetes. in Itayle stalled

Next Frauncys. petrarke suyng in certayn

Vnto Grekes. I wyll retourne agayn

To telle forth. shortly yf I canne

Of her Journey. that they haue begonne

How Adrastus. hath his leue take

Of Lygurgus. with his browes blake

And departyng. with saynt Johan to borowe

Made his wardes. on the next morowe

[Page]Soo well beseen. soo myghty and soo stronge

wonder erly. whan the larke songe

with a trompette. warned euery man

To be redy. in all the haste they can

For to renne. and noo lenger lettyng make

And soo they haue. the ryght waye take

Towarde Thebes. the Grekes euerychone

That suche a nombre. gadered in to one

Of worthy knyghtes. neuer a forne was sayne

whan they in fere. moustren in a playne

And they ne stynte. by none occasyon

Tyll they become. euen a forne the town

And pyght her tentes. proudely as I rede

Vnder the walles. in a grene mede

And whan the Thebans. weren besette aboute

The manly knyghtes. wolde a yssued oute

And haue scarmesshed. in her lusty pryde

with her fomen. on that other syde

But by byddyng of Ethyocles

All thylke nyght. they kepte hemselfe in pees

By cause oonly. that it was soo late

with grete awayte. set at euery gate

Men of armes. all the nyght wakyng

On the walles. by byddyng of the kyng

Leste there were. treynes or treason

And on the coures. and in the chyfe dongon

He sette vp men. to make mortall souns

with brasen hornes. and lowde claryons

[Page]Of full entente. the watches for to kepe

In his warde. that noo man ne slepe

And Grekes proudly. all the long nyght

Lryndly fyres. and made full grete lyght

Set vp lodgyng. vpon euery syde

Lyke as they solde. euer there abyde

Compas the towne. there was noo voyde space

But all besette. her fomen to manace

And whyles they. a forne the Cytee laye

the forraye yt the Grekes made in ye coūtre aboute the bes

On euery coste. they sente oute the forraye

Brente townes. thorpes and vyllages

with grete Rauyne. makyng her pyllages

Spoyle and robbe. and brought home vytayle

And all maner sortes of bestayle

Shepe and neet. and in her cruell rage

with houndes slowe. all that was sauage

Herte and hynde. both buk and do

The blak bore. and the wylde Roo

The fatte swyne. and the tusshy bore

Caryeng all home. for the Grekes store

whete and wyne. for her auauntage

Hay and otes. foder and forage

with this kalendes. as hem thynk due

Grekes gan the Thebans to salue

Mynystryng hem. occasyons fell

The sege sette. shortly for to tell

Of full entente. in her hatfull pryde

For lyfe or deth. there vpon to abyde

[Page]Who soo euer therwith be agreued

Tyll they fully. her purpos haue acheued

There maye therof. be maked noo reles

And of this. full ware Ethyocles

Gan in partye. gretely meruayle

whan that he sawe. the grete apparayle

Of the Grekes. the Cytee rounde aboute

And in hymselfe. had a maner doubte

None atte poynte. what was beste to doo

For thylke tyme. it stode with hym soo

That to some. abydyng in the town

He had in herte. grete suspeccyon

Leste towarde hym. they were vnstable

And to his brother. in partye fauorable

For in the Cytee. there was varyaunce

The varyance in the bes yt cytee among hē selfe

whiche vnto hym. was a grete meschaunce

For in his nede. shortly he ne wyste

Vpon whome. that he myght tryste

For they were not all of one entente

For whiche he hath. for his councell sente

All his lordes. and the olde quene

whiche as he dempte. were pure and clene

Hole of one herte. and not varyable

Of olde experte. and alwaye founde stable

Requyryng hym. by cause they were wyse

All openly. to tellen her auyse

where it where. bet playnly in her syght

with his brother. to treaten or to fyght

[Page]And some gafe. a full blonte sentence

whiche had of werre. none experyence

Sayde it was beste. and not be aferde

To trye his right. manly with his swerde

And some also. that were more prudente

Spake vnto hym. by good aduysemente

And lyste not spare. but theyre conceyte tolde

How it was beste. his couenante for to holde

And to perfourme. his heste made to forne

To his brother. lyche as he was sworne

Soo yt his sworde. the wors to make hym spede

Be not founde varyaunte. fro noo dede

For none hatred. rancoure nother pryde

Nota The wordes of ye quene Jocasta vnto ethyocles ye kyng

And tho the quene. toke hym oute a syde

Tolde hym playnly. it was vnsyttyng

Suche doublenesse. to fynde in a kyng

And sayd hym eke. all though he were strong

To his brother. how he dyde wrong

As all the towne. wyll recorde in dede

And bere wytnesse. yf it came to nede

wherfore lete vs shape a nother mene

In this mater. whyle that it is grene

Or this quarell. gonne of volunte

Tourne in the fyne. of more aduersyte

For yf it be. darreyned by batayle

who trusteth moost. maye lykely fayle

And it is foly. by sho [...]te aduysemente

How perylous it is to be goūned by Marces in ony quarell

To put a stryfe. in Martis Jugemente

[Page]For harde it is. whan a Juge is wood

To treate a forne hym. withoute losse of blood

And yf we putte it hole in Marte

That with the swerde. his lawes dooth coarte

Than may it hap. where ye be glad or lothe

Thou and thy brother. shall repente bothe

And many a nother. that is here presente

Of youre trespace. that ben Innocente

And many thousand. in caas shall complayne

For the debate. oonly of you twayne

And for youre stryfe. shalte fynde full vnswote

And for thou arte. gynnyng grounde and rote

Of this Iniurye. and this grete vnryght

To the goddes. that here of haue a syght

Thou shalte a countes. and a rekenyng make

For all tho. that perysshen for thy sake

And now the cause. dryuen is soo ferre

Sodeyn peas. or hasty warre

Muste folowe anone. for the fatall chaunce

Of lyfe and deth. dependeth in balaunce

And noo man maye by noo crafte restrayne

That vpon one. platly of these twayne

The sorte mote falle. lyke as it dooth torne

whos that euer. laughe or morne

And thou arte dryue. soo narowe to the stake

That thou mayste not. mo delayes make

But fyghte or treate. this quarell for to fyne

Be none engyne. thou canste it not declyne

[Page]An hasty casse. as folke seyn that ben wyse

Redresse requyreth. by full shorte auyse

For to treate longe. now auayleth nought

For to the poynte. sothly thou arte brought

Eyther to kepe. thy possessyon

Or in all haste. deuoyde oute of this town

where thou therwith. be wroth or well apayde

Now note well. all that I haue sayde

And by my councell. wysly condescende

wrong wrought. of olde newly to amende

The tyme is come. it wyll be none other

wherfore in haste. treate well with thy brother

And ageyn hym. make none resystence

But to thy lordes. fully yeue credence

By whoos counceyll. syth they be soo sage

Lete Polymyte. reioyse his herytage

And that shall tourne. moost to thyne aueyll

Loo here is hole. the fyne of oure counceyll

And shortly tho. for verray yre wroth

Though he therto. frowarde was or loth

Accorded is. heryng all the pres

If he algate. treate shall for pees

It muste be. by this condycyon

That he wolde haue. the domynacyon

Fyrste in chyfe to hymselfe reserued

As hym thought. he had it well deserued

And saue to hym. hole the soueraynte

And vnder hym. in Thebes the Cyte

[Page]He to graunte. with a right good chere

Polymyte. to regne for a yere

Than auoyde. and not resorte agayne

For more to cleyme. was not but in vayne

Thus wolde he done. oonly for her sake

And other wyse. he wolde none ende make

with the Grekes. what fortune euer falle

And fynally. among his lordes all

There was not one. of hye ne lowe estate

That wolde gone on bassate

Oute of the towne. nother for bette ne worse

Tyll Jocasta. made sadell her horse

And caste her selfe. to gone for this treate

To make an ende. yf it wolde be

And this was done. the morowe right by tyme

Vpon the houre. whan it drowe to pryme

And with her went. her yong doughters tweyne

Antygone. and the fayre Imeyne

Of her meyne. full many one aboute

At gate she was conueyed oute

And of purpos. she made fyrste her wente

On horse bak. to the kyng Adrastus tente

He and his lordes. beyng all I fere

And they resceyue her. with right glad chere

Suyng her. lyke to her degre

On euery halfe. full grete humanyte

Polymyte rysyng. fro his place

And humbely. his moder gan embrace

[Page] [...]ryssed her. and than Antygone

And Imeyne. excellente of beaute

And for that they were passyngly fayre

Grete was the pres. concours and repayre

Of the ladyes. for to haue a syght

And Jocasta. procedeth anone ryght

To Adrastus. her mater to purpose

And gan to hym. openly dysclose

Thentente and wyll. of Ethyocles

And by what mene. he desyreth pees

To hym reserued. as she can specyfye

The honour and hole. and the regalye

with the septure. & crowne fro hym not deuyded

But hole to hym. as he hath prouyded

And Polymyte. vnder this condycyon

Vnder hym to regnen. in the town

As a subgette. by suffraūce of his brother

But the Grekes. thoughten all a nother

And specyally. worthy Tydeus

The āswere of tydeꝰ to ye quene

Playnly affermyng. it sholde not be thus

For he wyll haue noo condycyons

But sette a syde. all excepcyons

Noo thyng reserued. as in specyall

But hole the lordshyp. regaly and all

Polymyte. it fully to possede

In Thebes crowned. verrayly in dede

As ryghtfull kyng. put in possessyon

Lyche the couenantes. and conuencyon

[Page]Imade of olde. assured and essealed

whiche shall not now. of newe be repleted

But stabyll and hole. in his strengthe stonde

And lete hym soo. platly vnderstonde

And fyrste yt he. deuoyde hym out of the towne

And delyuer. the septure and the crowne

To his brother. and make there of noo more

And shortly ellys. it shall be bought full sore

Or this mater. brought be to an ende

For Grekes is there none. yt shall hens wende

Or that oure right. whiche is vs denyed

with lyfe or deth. dereyned be and tryed

we ne wyll. erst fro this towne rennewe

And yf hym lyste. all this to eschewe

And all myschyfe. stynten and appease

To eyther parte. he maye doo grete ease

Thus I mene. for his auauntage

Delyuer vp hole. the trewe herytage

To his brother. for a yere to endure

And Grekes shall hym. fully assure

By what bounde. that hym lyste deuyse

The yere complete. in oure best wyse

To hym delyuer. ayen possessyon

withoute stryfe. or contradyccyon

And to his fyne. Justly holde vs to

And yf it falle. that he wolde not so

Lete hym not wayte. but oonly after warre

The houre is come. we wyll it not deferre

[Page] [...]oo here is all. and thus ye maye reporte

To hym agayn. whan that ye resorte

Fro whiche a poynte. we caste vs not to varye

And yet to hym. Amphyorax contrarye

Full playnly sayde in conclusyon

This fyne shall cause a destruccyon

Of hem echone. yf it forth procede

To be perfourmed. and executed in dede

But thylke tyme. for all his eloquence

He had in soth. but lytyll euydence

For where soo euer. it mente good or yll

Kyng Adrastus. bad hym to be styll

And tho Jocasta. as wysdome dyd her teche

Humble of her porte. with full softe speche

Gan seke meanes. in her fantasye

If she myght. the yre modefye

Of the Grekes. to make hem to enclyne

In ony wyse. her rancoure for to fyne

She dyde her deuoyre. and her besy cure

But tho befell. a wounder aduenture

Cause and grounde. of grete confusyon

Grekes perturbyng. and eke the town

And it telle. maye not me asterte

For whiche a while. my style I mote dyuerte

And shortly telle. by descrypcyon

Of a Tyger. dwellyng in the town

whiche from a kyngdome. besyden adiacente

Oute of Egypte. was to Thebes sente

[Page]Whiche beste. by recorde of scrypture

Is moost swyfte. as of his nature

And of his kynde. also moost sauage

And moost cruell. whan he is in his rage

And as clerkes. maken mensyon

He of body. resembleth to a lyon

And lyke a greyhoūde. the mosell and the hede

And of eyen. as ony fyre rede

Eke of his skynne. wryten as I fynde

Lyche a panter. conuersaunte in ynde

With all maner. hues and colours

And is full ofte desceyued with myrrours

By fraude of hunters. and false apparence

Shewed in glas. withoute exystence

Whan his kyndles. arn by sleyght Itake

And he desceyued. maye noo rescuse make

And lyke a lambe. was this Tyger tame

Ayen kynde. myne auctour wryte the same

And this beste. merueylous to se

Was sente. to Imeyne and antygone

Whiche vnto hem. dyde grete comforte

And coude playe. and make grete dysporte

Lyke a whelpe. that is but yonge of age

And to wyght. dyde noo domage

Noo more in south. than dooth a lytyll hounde

And it was worth. many a hoūdred pounde

Vnto the kyng. for ay in his greuaūce

There was no thyng. dyde hym more plesaūce

[Page]That for no tresoure. it myght not be bought

For whan that he was. in pensyfe or in thought

It put hym oute. of his heuynesse

And thylke tyme. the story dyde expresse

That Jocasta. treated for a pes

This tame Tyger. in partye rekles

Oute of the gates. in syght of many a man

In to the felde. wyldly oute ran

And casuelly. rennyng to and fro

In and oute. as dooth a tame Ro

Grekes wenyng. that were yong of age

That this Tyger. had be sauage

And cruelly besectyng all the place

Rounde abounte. gan hym to enchase

Tyll he was dede. and slayn in the felde

The deth of whome. whan that they behelde

The proude Thebans. whiche on ye walles stode

They ronne downe. full furyous and wode

Wenyng he had. ben slayn of despyte

Takyng her hors. withoute more respyte

Fully in purpos. with Grekes for to fyght

The Tygers deth. tauenge yf they myght

And oute they rode. withoute gouernayll

And full proudely. Grekes gan assayll

And of hatred. and hye dysdayne

Fyll vpon hem. that haue the Tyger slayne

And cruelly quyten hem her mede

That many Greke. in the grene mede

[Page]By the force. and the grete myght

Of her fomen. laye slayne in the syght

The Tygres dethe. soo dere they a bought

Soo mortally. the Thebans on hem wrought

That all the Ooste. in the felde lyggyng

Was astoned. of this sodeyn thyng

And in this whyle. of rancoure reckles

Oute of Thebes. rode Ethyocles

And with hym the worthy kyng Tremoure

Of his honde a noble werryoure

That made Grekes. to forsake her place

And to her tentes. gan hem enchace

And myd the felde. as they togyder mette

On horse bake. with speres sharpe whette

Of ve [...]ray hate. and enuyous pryde

Full many one. was dede on euery syde

The whiche thyng. whan Tydeus espyeth

The grete māhode of worthy tydeus

Wood as a lyon. to hors bak hyeth

As he that was. neuer a dele aferde

But ran on hym. and mette hem in the berde

And maugre hem. in his crueltee

He made hem fiee. home to her Lytee

Hem pursuyng. of full dedely hate

That many one. laye slayn at gate

Gapyng vpryghtes. with her woundes wyde

That vtterly. they durste not abyde

There for the swerde. of this Tydeus

He was on hem. soo passyng furyous

[Page]Soo many Theban. he rofe to the herte

That whan Jocasta. the slaughter gan aduerte

Polymyte. she gan praye full fayre

To make Grekes. home agayne repayre

And that they wolde stenten to assayle

For thylke daye. and seasen her batayle

Atte whoos requeste. playnly and prayer

And at reuerence. of his moder dere

Polymyte. hyr herte to comforte

Grekes made. home ageyn resorte

And Tydeus to stynten. of his chace

And they of Thebes. hastyng a grete pace

Full tryste and heuy. ben entred in to the town

And for the Tygre. in conclusyon

As ye haue herde. fyrste began this stryfe

That many Theban. that daye loste his lyfe

And reculees. haue yolden vp the breth

In thauengyng. of the Tygre is deth

And all this whyle. duely as she ought

The quene Jocasta. humbly besought

Lryng Adrastus. oonly of his grace

Some mene waye. wysly to purchace

To make a peas. a twene the brethern tweyne

And the treate. soo prudently ordeyne

On eyther partye. that noo blood be shad

And this Adrastrus. wyse and ryght sad

For Grekes partye. answere gaue anone

That other ende. shortly gete she none

[Page]Lyche as the lordes. fully ben aduysed

That Tydeus. hath to forne deuysed

And whan she sawe. it maye none other be

She leue toke. and home to the Cyte

She is repeyred. hauyng to her gyde

Polymyte rydyng by her syde

And Tydeus. lad Antygone

And of Archadye. Prothonolope

The worthy kyng. dyde his besy peyne

To be attendaunte. vpon fayre Imeyne

Whos herte she hath. to her seruyce lured

And he agayne. hath p [...]rtrayed and fygured

Myd of his breste. that lyghtly maye not passe

Hole the fetures. of her fresshely face

Hym thought she was. soo fayre a creature

And though that he. durste not hym dyscure

Yet in his herte. as ferforth as he can

He hath auowed. to be hyr trewe man

U [...]wyste to her. playnly and vnknowe

How he was marked. with Cupydys bowe

with his arowe. sodeynly werreyed

And to the yate. the ladyes conueyed

Ben entred in. for it drewe to eue

Grekes of hem. takyng tho her leue

Though some of hem. were lothe to departe

yet of wysdom. they durste not inparte

Under a conduyte. to entren in to the town

Leste it tourned. to her confusyon

[Page]Though some bokes. the contrarye sayn

But myn auctoure. is platly there agayn

And fermeth. in his oppynyon

That Tydeus. of hye dyscrecyon

Of wylfulnesse. nor of folye

Ne wolde as tho. putte in partye

Nother hymselfe. ne none of his feres

And the ladyes. with heuenly there

Angelyke. of loke and contenaunce

Lyche as it is putte. in remembraunce

Atte her entryng. fro Grekes in to the town

Polymyte. of grete affeccyon

The quene besought. thylke nyght not fyne

For to assaye. yf she myght enclyne

Ethyocles. of conscyence and ryght

To kepe couenaunte. as he hath behyght

Full yere ago. with the superlusage

Leste the contrarye. tourne to domage

Fyrste on hymselfe. & syth on many other moo

And thus from Thebes. the Grekes ben a goo

To her tentes. and reste hem all the nyght

And Lucyna the mone. shone full bryght

within Thebes. on the chyfe dongon

whan Jocasta. made relacyon

Unto the kyng. and tolde hym all the gyse

How that the Grekes. vtterly despyse

His profer made. by false collusyon

Only excepte. the conuencyon

[Page]Of olde engrosed. by grete purueaunce

That is enrolled. and put in remembraunce

Upon whiche. fynally they wyll reste

Hym conseylyng. her though for the beste

To conferme hym. to that he was bounde

Leste in the fyne. falsnesse hym confounde

But all her counseyll. he sette at noo pryce

He dempte hymselfe. soo prudente and soo wyse

For he was wylfull. and he was Indurate

And in his herte. of malyce obstynate

And vtterly aduysed. in his thought

within Thebes. his brother gette right nought

And in his erroure. thus I lete hym dwell

And of Grekes. forth I wyll you tell

whiche all that nyght. kepte hemselfe close

And on the morowe. whan tytan vp a rose

They armed hem. and gan hem redy make

And of assente. haue the felde Itake

with the Thebans. that day oute of doughte

For to fyghten. yf they yssue oute

And Adrastus. in full trysty wyse

In the felde. his wardes gan deuyse

As he that was. of all deceytes ware

And rychely armed in his chare

Amphyorax come. with his menye

Full renomed. of antyquyte

And well experte. by cause he was olde

And whyle that Grekes. as I haue you tolde

[Page]were besyeste. her wardes to ordeyne

Myd of the felde. befell a caas sodeyne

Full vnhappy. lothsome and odyble

And lyche a thyng. that were Inuysyble

This olde bysshop. with chare & horse certeyn

How bysshop āphiorax sodeynly fell downe in to hell

Dysapered. and noo more was seyn

Oonly of fate. whiche noo man can expelle

The erthe openeth. and he fyll downe to helle

with all his folke. that vpon hym abode

And sodeynly. the grounde that he on stode

Closed agayn. and togyder shytte

That neuer after. Grekes with hym mette

And thus the deuell. for his olde outrages

Lyche is deserte. payde hym his wages

For he full lowe. is descended dewn

In to the darke. and black rogyon

where that Pluto. is crowned and Istalled

with his quene. Proserpyna called

with whome this bysshop. hath made his mansyon

Perpetuelly. as for his guerdon

Loo here the mede of ydolatrye

Of ryghtes olde. and of false mammentrye

Loo what auaylen Incantacyons

Of exorsysmes. and coniurysons

what stode hym stede. his nygramancye

Calculacyon. or Astronomye

what vayled hym. the heuenly mansyons

Dyuerse aspectes. or constellacyons

[Page]The ende is not. but sorowe and myschaunce

Of hem that setten. her vtter affyaunce

In suche werkes. superstycyous

Or truste on hem. he is vngracyous

Recorde I take. shortly for to telle

Of this bysshop. sonken downe to helle

whoos wofull ende. aboute in euery coste

Suche a rumor. hath made in the oste

That the noyse. of this vncouth thyng

Is I ronne. and I come to the kynge

How this vengaūce. is vnwardly falle

And he anone. made a trompette calle

All his people. oute of the felde agayne

And euerychone. assembled on a playne

Tofore the kyng. and also rounde aboute

Euery man of his lyfe in doubte

Full pyteously. gan to froune and loure

Leste that the grounde. hem all wolde deuoure

And swalue hem. in his darke kaue

And they ne can. noo recure hem to saue

For neyther force. ne manhode may hem auayle

In suche myschyfe. the value of a mayle

For he that was wyseste. coude moost

To serche and seke. thorugh oute all the oost

Amphyorax. whan he leste wende

To helle is sonken. and can not hym defende

To hym the tyme. vnknowen and vnwyste

In whom whylom. was all the Grekes tryste

[Page]Her hole comforte. and her affyaunce

But all attones. for this sodeyn chaunce

And this myschyfe. they gan hem all dyspeyre

Home to Grece. that they wyll repeyre

This was the purpos. of hem euerychoon

And on the walles. of Thebes lay her foon

Reioysyng hem. of this vnhappy eure

wenyng therby. gretly to recure

And on her towres. as they loken oute

They on Grekes. enuyously gan shoute

And of despyte. and grete enuyte

Bad hem foles. gone ho [...] to her contre

Syth they haue lost. her comforte & her socoure

Her fals prophete. and her dyuynoure

where thrugh. her parte gretly is appeyred

And in this wyse. Grekes dysespeyred

Dempte playnly. by tokens euydent

This case falle. by so [...] enchantement

By wytchecrafte. or by false sorcerye

Agaynste whiche. maye be noo remedye

Trysty defence. helpe nor socoure

And whan Adrastus. herde this clautoure

He besy was. agayns this perturbance

To prouyde. some maner cheuysance

And to hym calleth. suche counsell as he wyste

For lyfe or deth. that he myght truste

Requyryng hem. but in wordes fewe

In this myschyfe. her mocyon to shewe

[Page]And declare by good auysemente

what to Grekes. were moost expedyente

To remedyen. and make noo delaye

The vncouthe noyse. and the grete affraye

That Grekes made. with clamour Importune

And nowe and nowe euer. in one contune

And they yt weren. moost manly & moost wyse

Shortly sayd. it were a grete cowardyse

The empryse. that they haue vndertake

For drede of dethe. soo sodeynly forsake

It were to hem. a perpetuell shame

And oure hyndryng. vnto Grekes name

And better it were. to euery werryoure

Manly to deye. with worshyp and honoure

Than lyke a cowarde. with the lyfe endure

For ous shamed. harde is to recure

His name ayen. of what estate he be

And syth Grekes. of olde antyquyte

As of knyghthode. who soo lyste take hede

Ben soo famous. and soo renomede

If now of newe. the shynyng of her fame

Eclypsed were. with ony spot of blame

It were a thyng. vncouth for to here

Of whoos renon. the bemes yet ben clere

Thrugh all ye world. where as they haue passed

And ben nor yet. dyrked ne defaced

By noo reporte. neyther on see ne on londe

Thyng to forsake. that they toke on honde

[Page]And by ensample. of oure progenytours

That whylom weren. soo manly conquerours

To forne that we. in to Grece wende

Of thyng begon. lete vs make an ende

And parte not. nor seuere fro this town

Tyll it be brought. to destruccyon

walles toures. crested and embatayled

And for werre. strongly apparayled

Be fyrste downe. bete that noo thyng be seen

But all togyder. to the erthe pleyn

Be lowe layde. or that we resorte

That afterwarde. men maye of vs reporte

That we began. knyghtly we haue achened

Vpon oure foon. with worshyp vnrepreued

This was the counsell. shortly and thauyse

Of the Grekes. that manly were and wyse

That none aforn. were marked with no blame

And specyally. suche as drede shame

And fully caste. what fortune euery tyde

On her purpos. to the ende abyde

That on noo parte. her honour not appall

And this counsell. Grekes one and all

Ben condescended. for more happy spede

In stede of hym. that was soo late dede

Amphyorax. buryed depe in helle

That coude whylom. to the Grekes telle

Of thynges hyde. how it shall falle a forne

In stede of whome. now they haue hym lorne

[Page]They casten hym. wysly to purchase

Some prudente man. to occupye his place

That in suche thyng. myght hem moost auayle

Thorugh storye. of his dyuynayle

By crafte of sorte. or of prophecye

If ony suche. they conden oute espye

And among all. her purpos to attayne

How Grekes chosen hem a new dyuynoure in ye stede of āphyorax ye bysshop

As I fynde. they haue chosen twayne

Moost renomed. of hem euery chone

And Menolyppus. called was that one

And Tardynyus. eke that other hyght

And for he had. moost fauoure in her syght

This Tardynyus. was chosen and preferred

And her choys. Grekes haue not arred

For whylom. her lerned is empryse

Of his mayster. Amphyorax the wyse

And was dyscyplyne. vnder his doctryne

And of entente. that he shall termyne

Vnto Grekes. thynges that shall fall

And as bysshop. mytred in his stall

Done for hym. in many vncouth wyse

In the Temple. to goddes sacryfyse

And thus confermed. and stalled in his see

And fell dayes. stode in his degree

After his mayster. with full grete honoure

Of Grekes chose. to be successoure

And all this tyme. in story as it is tolde

Full grete myschyfe. of hunger thrust and colde

[Page]And of Thebans. as they yssuen oute

Laye many one slayn in the route

On eyther parte. of fortune as they mette

Her mortall swerdes. were soo sharpe whette

And Tydeus. among hem of the town

Fro daye to daye. playeth the lyon

Soo cruelly. where soo that he rode

That Thebans none. a forne his face abode

He made hem. thrugh his hye renon

Soo grete slaughter. and occasyon

That as the deth. fro his swerde they fled

And who came next. leyde his hede to wed

He quyte hymselfe. soo lyke a manly knyght

That where he wente. he put hem to the flyght

And maugre hem. in his crueltee

He drofe hem home. in to theyr Lytee

Hem pursuyng. proudly to the gate

That vnto hym. they bare soo dedely hate

That they hem caste. by slyght or some engyne

To bryng hym. vnwarely to his fyne

And leyde awayte. for hym daye and nyght

But o alas. this noble manly knyght

Vpon a daye. as he gan home enchase

And mortaly made. hem to lese her place

And sued hem. almoost to the town

That cause was. of his destruccyon

For one alas. that on the walles stode

Whiche all that daye. vpon hym abode

[Page]With a quarell. sharp heded for his sake

Marked hym. with a bowe of brake

Soo cruelly makyng. none areste

How pyteously worthy tydeus was slayn wt a quarel

Tyll it was passed. bothe back and breste

Where thorugh alas. there was none other rede

Nor lechecrafte. that he mote be dede

There maye therof. be made noo delayes

And yet was he. holden in his dayes

The beste knyght. and the moost manly man

As myne auctoure. well reherse can

But for all that. was there noo defence

Agayn the stroke. of dethes vyolence

And Bochas wryte. or he was fully dede

He was by Grekes. presented with the hede

Of hym that gaue his laste fatall wounde

And he was called. lyke as it is founde

Menolyppus. I can not other telle

How he yt slow tydeꝰ called was menolippꝰ

But thylke daye. Thebans waxe soo felle

Vpon Grekes. that vnder her Lyte

The manly kyng. Parthonolope

Islayn was. euen a forne the gates

And there also. armed bryght in plates

The famous kyng. called ypomedon

The same daye. as made is mencyon

On horse back. manly as he faught

Atte brygge. euen vpon the draught

Besette with pres. casuelly was drowned

And thus fortune. hath on Grekes frouned

[Page]On euery syde. thylke vnhappy daye

But all the maner. tellen I ne maye

Of her fyghtyng. nor her slaughter in sothe

More to declare. than myn auctour dothe

But thylke daye. I fynde as ye maye seen

Whan phebus. passed was merydyen

And fro the south. westwarde gan hem drawe

His gylte tresses. to bathen in the wawe

The Theban kyng. fell Ethyocles

Rote of vnreste. and causer of vnhappes

The slaughter of Grekes. whan yt he behelde

Armed in stele. he come oute in to the felde

Full desyrous. in that sodeyn hete

Polymyte. atte good leyser to mete

Syngulerly. with hym to haue a doo

For in this worlde. he hated noo man soo

He satte soo nye. emprented in his herte

Whoos comyng oute. his brother gan aduerte

Vpon his stede. in the opposyte

And had agaynwarde. also grete delyte

To meten hym. yf fortune assente

Thenuyous fyre. soo her hertes brente

With hate cankred. of vnkynde blode

And lyke twoo Tygres. in her rage wode

With speres sharpe. grounde for the nones

Soo as they ran. and mette bothe attones

Polymyte. thrugh plates mayle and shelde

Rofe hym thrugh out. & smote hym in to ye felde

[Page]But whan he sawe. the stremes of his blood

Rayle aboute. in maner of a [...]lood

All sodeynly. of compassyon

Fro his courser. he a lyght down

And bretherly. with a pyteous face

To saue his lyfe. gan hym to vnbrace

And fro his wounde. of newe affeccyon

Full besy was. to pull oute the tronchon

Of loue oonly. handlyng hym ryght softe

But o alas. whyle he lay [...] a lofte

Full yrously. Ethyocles the fell

Of all this sorowe. verray sours and well

with a dagger. in all his paynes smerte

How eueryche of ye theban brethern slow other to f [...] ren the cyte

His brother smote. vnwardly to the herte

whiche all her lyfe. had be soo wrothe

And thus the Thebans were slayne bathe

Atte entre. euen a forne the towne

But Grekes tho ben a [...]ayled downe

Oute of the felde. the worthy knyghtes all

And in Thebes londe. as ony shall

The Cytee arose. whan her kyng was d [...]de

And to the gates. armed fote and hede

Out of the towne. come many proude Theban

And some of hem. vpon the walles ran

And gan to shoute. that pyte was to here

And they withoute. of her lyfe in where

withoute comforte. or consolacyon

Dysespyred. ronne home to the town

[Page]And Grekes folowen after atte back

That many one. that daye gooth to wrack

And as her fomen. proudly hem assayle

Full many grekes. thrugh plates & thrugh mayle

was shet thrugh. oute pressyng at walles

And beten of. whiche with grete roūde balles

That here laye one. and a nother yonder

And the noyse. more hydeous than thonder

Of gonne shotte. and arblastes [...]he

So londroute rong. that many worthy Greke

There loste his lyfe. they were on hem soo fell

And at the gates. shortly for to tell

Atte Grekes pres. to entren the Cytee

They of Thebes. in her crueltee

with hem mette. full furyous and wo [...]e

And mortally. as they agayn hem stode

Men myght see. speres shyner a sonder

That to beholde it was a verray wonder

How they feyne. with daggers & with swerdes

Thorugh the vyser. hauyng at berdes

Persyng also. thrugh the rounde mayles

Rente oute peces. of her auantayles

That nought auayleth. the myghty gestran

Thrugh breste & neck. yt the myghty speres ran

Her wepenes were. soo sharpe grounde & whette

In there armure. that there were noo lette

For there laye one. troden vnder fote

And yonder one. persed to the herte rode

[Page]Here lyet one dede. and there a nother lame

This was the playe. and the mortall game

Attwene Thebans. and the Grekes proude

That the swonnes. and the cryes loude

Of hem that laye. and yolden vp the goste

was herde full fer. aboute in many coste

And atte gates. and saylyng of the wall

Howe alle the gentyll blood of ye lond of gre [...]es & of the bes ye Cyte destroyed was vpon a daye

I slayne was. all the blood Royall

Both of the towne. and of Grekes londe

And all the worthy. knyhtes of her honde

And of lordes. I shall not fayne

On grekes syde. a lyue were but twayne

Lryng Adrastus. and Campaneus

That daye to hem. was soo vngracyous

And for tytan. westred was soo lowe

That noman myght. vnnethes other knowe

Tho of the towne shette her gates faste

with [...]arres rounde made. for to laste

In whiche noo wyght. kerue maye ne hewe

And Adrastus. with a Grekes fewe

Repeyred is home. vnto his tente

And all that nyght. he hasted and spente

For his vnhap. in sorowe complaynyng

And they in Thebes. the next daye suyng

Her deuoyre dyde. and her besy cure

To ordeyne. and make a sepulture

For her kyng. Islayne in the felde

And offred vp. his baner and his shelde

[Page]

[Page]

[Page]

It were a deth. to ony man a lyue

warde [...]he [...] bes

And yf I sholde. by and by dyscryue

Theyre tender wepyng. and her wofull bale

Her complayntes. with taces dede and pale

Therof I myght. make a newe tale

All moost. a daye you to occupye

And as myn auctoure. clerely dooth certefye

Through oute Grece. fro all the Regyons

Oute of Cytees. and Royall towns

Come all the ladyes. and wymmen of estate

Full heuy chered. and dysconsolate

To this assemble. to forn as I you tolde

I purpose fully. her Journey for to holde

Towarde Thebes. these sorowfull creatures

There to bewayle. her wofull auentures

Taquyte hemselfe. of trouth in womanhede

To her lordes. whiche in the felde laye dede

And as the story. lyketh to declare

All this Journey. they wente on fote bare

Lyke as they had gone. on pylgrymage

In token of mornyng. barbed the vysage

wympled echone. and in burnette wedes

Not in chares. drawen forth with stedes

Nor on palfrays. blake neyther whyte

The sely wymmen. coude hem not delyte

To holde her waye. but bare fote they wente

Soo faythfully. euerychone they mente

Thorugh heuynesse. defaced of her hewe

[Page]And as I fynde. they were all trewe

Now was not that a wonder for to see

Soo many trewe. oute of oo coūtree

Attones gadred. in a companye

And feythfull all. bokes can not lye

Bothe in her porte. and Inwarde in menyng

Vnto my dome. it was an vncouthe thyng

Among a thousande wymmen or twayne

To fynden one. that coude in herte fayne

It was a meruayle. not ofte seen a forne

For selde in feldes. groweth ony corne

But yf some wede. spryng vp there among

Men allaye wynes. whan they be to strong

But her trouth. was meynt with none allayes

They were soo trewe. fonde at all assayes

And they ne stynte. vpon her Journee

Tyll that they come. there as they wolde be

where Adrastus wryten. as I fynde

Laye in his tente. all of coloure ynde

Gretly meruayled. whan that he behelde

The nombre of hem. sprad thrugh all the felde

Clad all in blacke. and bare fote euerychone

Oute of his tente. he dressed hym anone

Vpon his honde. the kyng Campaneus

Full tryste in herte. and face ryght pyteous

Agayn the wymmen forth. they wente I fere

And to beholde. the wofull chere

The wofull cryes. also whan they mette

[Page]The sorowfull syghes. in her brestes shette

The teres newe. dystyllyng on her faces

And the swounyng. in many sondry places

Whan they her lordes. alyue not ne founde

But in the felde. thrugh gyrte with many woū de

Laye starke vpryght. playnly to endyte

with dedely eyen. tourned vp the whyte

who made sorowe. or felte her herte ryue

For her lorde. but the fayre Argyue

who can now wepe. but Deyphyle

Tydeus for she. ne myght fele

whoos constrayntes. were soo kene

That Adrastus. myght not sustene

To beholde the ladyes. soo complayne

wysshyng her herte. parted were on twayne

But yet alas. bothe eue and morowe

how cursed Creon wyl not suffre ye bodyes neyther to be buryed ne to be brent▪

A thyng there was. that doubled all her sorowe

That olde Creon. fader of felonye

Ne wolde suffre. thorugh his tyrannye

The dede bodyes. be buryed neyther I brente

But with bestes. and houndes to be rente

He made hem all. vpon an hepe be layde

wherof the wymmen. tryste and euyll apayde

For verray dooll. it was no wonder

Her hertes felte. all moost reyne a sonder

And as my mayster. lyste to endyte

All clad in black. with her wymples whyte

with grete honoure. and due reuerence

[Page]In the Temple. of the goddesse Clemence

They abode the space. of forty nyght

Tyll Theseus. the noble worthy knyght

Duke of Athenys. with his chyualrye

Repeyred home. out of Femynye

And with hym ladde. full fayre vpon the sene

Thorugh his manhode. Ipolyta the quene

And her suster. called Emelye

And whan these wymmen. gan fyrste espye

This worthy duke. as he came rydyng

[...]ryng Adrastus. hem all conueyeng

The wymmen brought. to his presence

whiche hym besought. to yeue hem audyence

And all attones. swounyng in the place

Full humbly. prayed hym of grace

To rewe on hem. her harmes to redresse

But yf ye lyste. to see the gentylnesse

Of Theseus. how he hath hym borne

How the fynall destruccion of thebes is compendiously rehersed in the knyght tale

yf ye remembre. ye haue herde it to for [...]e

well rehersed. at Depforde in the vale

In the begynnyng. of the knygtes tale

Fyrste how that he. whan he herde hem speke

For verray reuthe. felte his herte breke

And her sorowes. whan he gan aduerte

Fro his courser. downe anone he sterte

Hem comfortyng. in full good entente

And in his armes. he hem all vp hente

The knyghtes tale. reherseth euery dele

[Page]Fro poynte to poynte. yf ye loke wele

And how this duke. withoute more abode

The same daye. towarde Thebes rode

Full lyke in sothe. a worthy conqueroure

And in his Oste. of chyualrye the floure

And fynally. to speken of this thyng

with olde Creon. that was of Thebes kyng

How yt he faught. & flow hym lyke a knyght

And all his oost. put vnto flyght

yet as some auctours make mencyon

Or Theseus entred. in to the town

wymmen fyrste. with pykeys and with malles

with grete laboure. bete downe the walles

And in her wrytyng. also as they sayn

Campaneus. was on the walles slayn

with caste of stone. he was soo ouerlade

For whome Adrastus. suche sorow made

That no man myght. hym relees of his payne

And Jocasta. with her doughters twayne

Full wofully. opressed of her cheres

To Athenes. were sente as prysoners

what fell of hem. can I not seyn

But Theseus. myne auctoure wryte certeyn

Oute of the felde. or he from Thebes wente

He bette hit downe. and the houses brente

The people slowe. for all her cryeng loude

Made the walles. and her towres proude

Rounde aboute. euen vpon a rowe

[Page]with the soyle. to be layde full lowe

That nought was lefte. but the soyle all bare

And to the wymmen. in relees of her care

The bones of her lordes. that were slayne

The bones of her lordes were de lyuered to the ladyes by duke the seus▪

This worthy duke. restored hath agayne

And what sholde I. than lenger dwell

The olde rytes. by and by to tell

Nor the obsequyes. in order to deuyse

Nor to declare. the maner and the gyse

How the bodyes. were to asshes brente

Nor of the gomes. in the flamme spente

To make the ayer swetter of reles

As frankensence. myrre and aloes

Nor how the wymmen. rounde aboute stode

Some with mylke. and some also with blode

And some of hem. with vrnes made of golde

whan the asshes. fully were made colde

To enclosen hem. of grete affeccyon

And bere hem home. in to her regyon

And how that other. full dedely of her loke

For loue oonly. of the bones toke

Hem to kepe. for a remembrance

That to reherse euery obseruance

That was done. in the fyres bryght

The wake playes. duryng all the nyght

Nor of the wrastlyng. to tell poynt by poynt

Of hem that weren. naked and enoynt

How eueryche other. lugge gan and shake

[Page]Nor how the wymmen. haue theyr leue take

Of Theseus. with full grete humblesse

Thankyng hym. of his worthynesse

That hym lyste. on her woo to rewe

And how that he. his fredome gan renewe

with the wymmen. of his hye larges

I parted hath eke. of his rychesse

And how this duke. Thebes eke forsoke

And to Athenes. the ryght waye toke

with laurer crowned. in sygne of vyctorye

And the palme. of conquest and glorye

Dyde his honoure. duely to Marte

And how the wȳmen. wepte whan they departe

with kyng Adrastus. home ayen to Arge

How ye kynge Adrastꝰ with the ladyes repeyred ayen home to Arge

To tell all. it were to grete a charge

And eke also. as ye sholde vnderstonde

Atte gynnyng. I toke noo more on honde

By my promyse. and in conclusyon

But to reherse. the destruccyon

Of myghty Thebes. shortly and noo more

And thus Adrastus. with his lockes hore

Styll abode. in Arge his Cyte

Vnto his ende. ye gete noo more of me

Saaf as myn auctoure. lyketh to compyle

After that. he lyued but a whyle

For he was olde. or the sege began

And thought and sorowe. soo vpon hym ran

The whiche in sothe. shorted hath his dayes

[Page]And tyme sette. deth maketh noo delayes

And all his Joye. passed was and gone

For of his lordes. a lyue was not one

But slayn at Thebes. ye knowen all the cas

And what this kyng. in Arge buryed was

Full royally. with grete solempnytee

It was accompted. in bokes ye maye see

Foure hundred yere. as made is mencyon

Foure hundred yere to forn the fū dacōn of rome was thebes fynaly destroyed

To forne the byldyng. and foundacyon

Of grece Rome. soo Royally and soo large

Whan the ladyes. departed fro Arge

To her coūtrees. full tryste and desolate

Loo here the fyne. of conteke and debate

Loo here the myght. of Mars the myghty sterre

Loo what it is. to gynne a werre

How it concludeth. ensample ye maye see

Fyrste of Grekes. and next of the Lytee

For eyther parte. hath mater to complayne

And in her stryfe. ye maye see thynges twayne

The worthy blood. of all Grece spylte

And Thebes eke. of Amphyon fyrste bylte

Withoute recure. brought in to ruyne

And with the soyle. made playn as a lyne

To wyldernesse tourned. and deserte

And Gr [...]kes eke. falle in to pouerte

Both of her men. and also of her good

For fynally. all the gentyll blood

Was shad oute there. her woūdes were soo wyde

[Page]To lose fynall. vnto eyther syde

For in the werre. is none excepcyon

Of hye estate. nor lowe condycyon

But as fortune. and fate bothe I fere

Lyste to dyspose. with her double chere

And Bellona. the goddesse in her chare

A forne prouydeth. therfore eche man beware

Vnauysed. a werre to begynne

For noo man wote. who shall lese or wynne

And harde it is. whan eyther parte leseth

And doubteles. neyther of hem cheseth

That they muste. in all suche mortall rage

Maugre her lyste. folowe grete domage

It maye not be. by mannes myght restrayned

And werre in soth. was neuer fyrste ordeyned

But for synne. folkes to chastyse

And as the byble. truly can deuyse

Nota How yt werre fyrst began in heuen by pryde & surque dye of proude Lucyfer

Hye in heuen. of pryde and surquedye

Lucyfer. fader of enuye

The olde serpente. he Leuyathan

Was the fyrste. that euer w [...]rre began

Whan Mycaell. the heuenly champyon

With his fers. vaynquysshed the dragon

And to helle. caste hem downe full lowe

The whiche serpente. hath the bockell sowe

Through all e [...]th. of enuye and debate

That vnnethes. is there none estate

Withoute stryfe. can lyue in charyte

[Page]For euery man. of hye and lowe degre

Enuyeth now. that other sholde thryue

And groūde and cause. why that men so scryue

Is couetyse. and false ambycyon

That eueryche. wolde haue domynacyon

Ouer other. and trede hym vnder fote

Whiche of all sorowe. gynnyng is and rote

And cryste recordeth. rede the boke & ye maye se

For lack of loue. what myschyfe there shall be

For oo people. as he dooth deuyse

Surget gens contra gentē Luce xxi

Agayn another. of hate shall aryse

And after tellyth. what dyuysyons

There shall be. at wene regyons

Eueryche besyde other to expresse

And all suche stryfe. as he bereth wytnesse

Lralendes ben. I take his worde to borowe

And a gynnyng. of myschyfe and of sorowe

Men haue it founde. by experyence

But the venym. and the vyolence

Of stryfe of werre. of contek and debate

That maketh londes. bare and desolate

Shall be proscrypte. and voyded oute of place

And Martys swerde. shall noo more manace

Nor his spere. greuous to sustene

Shall now noo more. whetted be soo kene

Nor he noo more. shall his hauberk shake

But loue and peas. in hertes shall awake

And charyte bothe. in lengthe and brede

[Page]Of newe shall. her bryght bemes sprede

Through grace oonly. in dyuers nacyons

For to reforme. atwene Regyons

Peas and quyete. concorde and vnyte

And he that is both. one and two and thre

Eke thre in one. and souerayn lorde of pease

Whiche in this exyle. for oure sake these

For loue oonly. oure troubles to termyne

For to be borne. of a pure virgyne

And lete vs praye to hym that is moost good

That for mankynde. shed his herte blood

Thrugh besechyng. of that heuenly quene

Wyfe and moder. and a mayde clene

To sende vs peas. here in this lyfe presente

And of oure synnes. parfyte amend [...]mente

And Joye eternall. whan we hens wende

Of my tale. thus I make an ende

AMEN

¶ Here now endeth as ye maye see The destruccyon of Thebes the Lytee

Information about this book

Title statement

Prologus Here begynneth the prologue of the storye of Thebes

Lydgate, John, 1370?-1451?

Edition statement

1497

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A06568

ID [STC]

STC 17031

ID [STC]

ESTC S120573

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99855769

ID [PROQUEST]

99855769

ID [VID]

21271

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A06568)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 21271)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1:18)

Source

— Prologus Here begynneth the prologue of the storye of Thebes, Lydgate, John, 1370?-1451?.

Extent

[174] p.

Wynkyn de Worde,. [Westminster :: 1497?]. (By John Lydgate.) (Title from heading aiir.) (Place of publication and printer's name from and publication date conjectured by STC.) (In verse.) (Signatures: a-l (-l8, blank?).) (Imperfect; 4 leaves lacking.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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