Part 11

There was a knyght whiche hadde but one sone that he loued ryght moche in begynnynge as ye nowe all onely haue me, whome he delyuered to a mayster of ferre cou_n_trees to nourysshe [et] to lerne. yᵉ chylde was of a grete wytte [et] prouffyted moche and grewe as well in lernynge as in body. And whan he had dwelled with his mayster seuen yere, his fader desyred to see hym, [et] sent letters to hym yᵗ he sholde come ayen in to his cou_n_tree [et] vysyte his frendes in lyke wyse as ye haue sente for me. The chylde was obedyent to his fader [et] came at his cōmau_n_dement of whos comynge he joyed moche, for yᵗ he was as well growen in his membres as in doctryne. To euery man he appered pleasau_n_t and gentylle. It happened vpon a daye yᵗ the fader and the moder syttynge at yᵉ table, [et] the chylde seruynge theym, a nyghtyngale came fleynge afore yᵉ wyndowe where as they satte, [et] began for to synge so swetely yᵗ they merueyled. And yᵉ knyght sayd, O how swetely this byrde syngeth, well were hym yᵗ coude vnderstande his songe, [et] coude shew the interpretacyon therof. Thenne the sone sayd, my worshypfull fader the song of the nyghtyngale I coude well declare, but I fere your dysplesure. The fader sayd, saye hardely my sone yᵉ interpretacyon of yᵉ byrde, [et] than ye shall proue whether I shall be angry or not, but I shall marke well yᵉ reason of myn angre. [et] whan yᵉ sone herde yᵗ he sayd, yᵉ nyghtyngale hath sayd in his songe, that I shall become a grete lorde, yᵗ I shall be honoured [et] worshypped of all men, [et] namely of my fader, the whiche shall brynge the water for to wasshe in myn handes, and my moder shall holde the towell. The fader sayd thou shall neuer see yᵗ day suche seruyce of vs to haue, nor none suche dygnyte shall folowe the, and in greate malyce [et] wodenesse he toke his sone vppon his sholders [et] ranne to the see [et] cast hym in it, and sayd, Lye there the interpretatour of yᵉ byrdes songe. The chylde coude swymme, and swymmed to a londe where he was foure dayes without mete or drynke. The fyft daye there came a shyp saylynge, and as the chyld sawe that, he called loude to the shypmen [et] sayd for the loue of god delyuer me frome the peryll of dethe. The shypmen sawe that it was a fayre yonge man they had compassyon on hy_m_ and went with theyr bote and sette hym aborde and in to ferre countrees with them they ledde hym and solde hym there to a duke. The chylde grewe goodly and fayre, [et] the duke loued hym moche, [et] hadde him gretely in his fauoure. Uppon a tyme the kynge of yᵗ realme lete calle and assemble all the greate lordes [et] noble men of his londe to a generall cou_n_sell. This duke prepared [et] ordeyned hym to go to yᵉ cou_n_sell, [et] marked the wysdome [et] the wytte of the chylde [et] toke the chylde with hym. And whan they were all gadred [et] assembled before the kynge in his cou_n_seyll My welbeloued lordes [et] frendesō sayd yᵉ kynge, wylle ye wete yᵉ cause wherfore yᵗ I haue called you to this counseylle. Then sayd they all we be all souerayne lorde at your commau_n_demente. Then yᵉ kynge sayd, It is a secrete mater yᵗ I shall shewe you, yf yᵗ ony ma_n_ can open it [et] declare what yᵗ it sygnyfyeth, I swere [et] promytte vnto hym by my crowne yᵗ I shall gyue too hym myn only doughter in maryage, [et] he shal be my felowe in my realme duryng my lyfe, [et] after my dethe he shall haue [et] possede all the hole kyngedome, [et] yᵉ mystery of the counseyll is this. Thre rauons alwayes folowe me where so euer that I goo. they leue me not, but cry wᵗ suche horryble voyces, yᵗ it is grete payne for me to here them, [et] to beholde theyr lokynges. [et] therfore yf ther be ony man yᵉ whiche that knoweth the cause of theyr folowynge, [et] can shewe what they mene by theyr cryenge [et] voyde theym fro me, wᵗout doubte I shall fulfyll this promyse yᵗ I haue made. [et] as the kynge had thus sayd, there was none fou_n_de in all the cou_n_seyll yᵗ wyst the cause or coude moue or put awaye the rauons. Then sayd yᵉ chylde too the duke. My lorde thynke ye that the kynge wyl holde his promyse or worde yf I accomplysshe his wyll and desyre. Than yᵉ duke sayde I thynke he wyll holde yᵗ he hath promysed, but wyl ye yᵗ I gyue the kynge knowledge of you what ye can do. Then yᵉ chylde sayd, I wyl my lyfe set in pledge [et] I shall perfourme [et] make it good yᵗ I haue sayd. Whan yᵉ duke herde that he went to the kynge [et] sayd, My lorde the kyng, here is a yong ma_n_ that is ryght connynge [et] wyse, the whiche promyseth for to satysfye [et] fulfyl in al thy_n_ges your desyre as touchy_n_ge the rauons yf ye wyll fulfyll that ye haue promysed. The kynge swore by the crowne of his kyngdome, what I haue promysed in al thynges shalbe fulfylled. Tho brought he yᵉ chylde before the kynge, and whan the kynge sawe hym he spake to hym. O fayre chylde can ye gyue answere to my questyon. The chylde sayd, my lorde ye in the best wyse, your questyon is wherfore yᵗ the rauons folowe you [et] horrybly crye vpon you. To whiche I answere. Upon a tyme it hapned that two rauons a male [et] a female had brought forthe bytwene them the thyrde rauon. vpon the sayd se was so grete famyne [et] scarsytee of all maner of thy_n_ges yᵗ men bestes [et] foules dyed [et] perysshed for defaute. The thyrde rauon yᵗ tyme beynge yonge in the nest the moder lefte it sekynge where she myght best gete her lyuynge, [et] came no more to yᵉ neste. The male rauon seynge that with grete penurye and laboure fed the yong rauon tyll that he was able to flye and wha_n_ the dere tyde was passed and gone then the female rauon came ayen too the yonge rauon and wolde holde felysshyppe and company with hym. And as the male rauon sawe that, he wolde haue dryuen her away, saynge thus, that she in his grete myscheyf and necessyte lefte hym and his company, and therfore nowe she sholde wante his company and felysshyppe. She alledged and sayd that she had in his byrthe grete laboure and sorowe, and suffred penurye, and therfore of his company she sholde rather joye than the fader. For this my souerayne lorde they folowe you askynge the ryght jugement whiche of them both shal haue the yonge rauon in theyr company, and this is the cause of theyr horryble clamour and noyse that they make dayly vpon you. But my lorde hadde ye hereupon a ryght wysse sentence gyuen ye sholde neuer more see theym or be troubled wᵗ theyr cryenge. Tho sayd the kynge, for the cause that the moder hath left [et] forsaken the yonge rauen in his mooste necessyte, it standeth with reason [et] iustyce yᵗ she shall wante [et] be without his felyshyp. And where yᵗ she sayth [et] alledgethe yᵗ in the berynge [et] byrth of hym she hadde greate payne and traueyle, that helpeth her not, for yᵗ payne was torned in to joye as sone as she sawe the yonge rauen in the worlde. But for yᵗ the male is yᵉ cause of produccyon [et] generacyon in euery beste, [et] also yᵗ he the yong rauon in his necessyte sustayned [et] fedde in to the recoueryng [et] nourysshynge of his body, therfore I gyue for a iugement [et] for a sentence dyffinityue yᵗ the yonge rauen shall abyde [et] holde company wᵗ the fader and not with the moder. And whan the rauons herde this sentence, with a greate noyse [et] crye they flewe vp in the ayre [et] were no more seen ne fou_n_de in all that Regyon. Whanne that this was doone yᵉ kynge demaunded of the yonge man what his name was. He answered I am called Alexander. Tho sayd the kynge, I wyll haue one thynge of you, yᵗ ye frome hens forth shal name [et] take me [et] none other for your fader but me, for ye shall marye my doughter, and ye shall be possessour of all my realme. The yonge Alexander abode and dwelled stylle with the kynge, and euery man hadde too hym fauour and loue, for he began to haunt and occupy hymselfe in iustes [et] in tourneys, wherin at all tymes he had the pryse aboue all other yᵗ were in all Egypte, soo yᵗ his pere or lyke was not founde, [et] there was not so harde nor so obscure a questyon put vnto hym but yᵗ he coude assoyle it. At that tyme was there an Emperoure named Tytus, that excelled in gentylnesse, curtesy [et] curposyte [curiosity] of all other Emperours kynges and prynces in yᵉ worlde. In so moche yᵗ suche a fame [et] noyse flewe [et] ranne ouer all the worlde of it, yᵗ what so euer he was yᵗ wolde prouffyte in connynge maners or behauynge, that he sholde go to the Emperours courte. And whan Alexander herd that he sayd to the kynge my most honourable fader [et] lorde ye wote well that al the worlde is full of the fame of themperoure so yᵗ it is delectable to abide [et] dwel in hys courte wherfore yf it please yow my lorde [et] fader I wolde gladly go to hys court that I myght be wyser [et] prompter in maners [et] behauy_n_ge than I am. Thereupon answered yᵉ kynge, It pleaseth me ryght well, but I wolde that ye take with you plente of golde [et] syluer [et] other necessaryes, so moche yᵗ ye myn honoure ther wᵗ may saue, [et] yᵗ ye may haue also yᵗ is to you requysyte [et] behouefull. And also me semeth it were expedyent yᵗ ye afore your departyng sholde mary my doughter. Tho answerd Alexander wyll it please you my lorde too spare me at this tyme [et] at my comynge home ayen I shall wedde hir wᵗ all honoure as to her apperteyneth. The kynge answered, sythen it is your wyll to go to themperours court I lycence you and therto I consente. Alexander toke leue of the kynge, [et] toke with hym tresoure ynoughe [et] went to themperours courte. And whan he was come with a fayre companye, he wente afore the Emperoure [et] felle on his knees, and salued hym [et] dyd hym reuerence. Themperoure rose frome his sete imperyall and kyssed hym, [et] asked of hym of whens [et] what he was, [et] wherfore he was comen. He answered and sayd I am sone [et] heyre to the kynge of Egypte, [et] am come to do seruyce to your moost hyghe maieste yf it please you to accepte me. Themperour sayd yᵗ he was ryght welcome, [et] cōmytted hym to his stewarde and made hym his keruer. The stewarde ordeyned hym a fayre chamber [et] purueyed hym all thynges yᵗ were necessary to the same. And Alexander behaued hym so well [et] wysely yᵗ in shorte tyme of all people he was beloued. Not longe after that came yᵉ kynges sone of Fraunce to do seruyse to themperoure [et] to lerne nurture, whome themperour receyued honourably and demau_n_ded his name [et] of what kynred he was come. He answered I am sone to the kynge of Frau_n_ce, [et] I haue to name Lodwyke your seruau_n_te. Tho sayd the Emperoure I haue made Alexander my karuer, [et] ye shall be my cuppe berer. yᵗ alwayes ye shall do seruyse afore me at my table. [et] cōmau_n_ded his stewarde to assygne hym a lodgynge, whome he assygned wᵗ Alexander in his chamber. These were soo lyke in stature, in vysage, [et] in condycyons yᵗ vnneth yᵉ one myght be dyscerned fro yᵉ other. but yᵗ Alexander was more in cōnyng [et] lyghtlyer in his dedes than Lodwyke was, for Lodwyke was a femynyne man [et] shamfast. [et] these two yong men loued well togyder. This Emperoure had a doughter oonly, named Florentyne, yᵉ which was ryght fayr [et] gracyous, [et] shold be his heyre whome he loued entyerly, which had a courte by her selfe [et] seruau_n_tes to her assygned. To whome yᵉ Emperour euery daye was accustomed to sende frome his table of his deyntes, in tokenyng of loue by yᵉ hande of Alexander, wherupon yᵉ doughter began to haue hym meruaylouslye in her fauoure bycause of his wysdome [et] his gracyous demenure. It hapned vpon a day Alexander at the mete tyme had suche a besynesse yᵗ he serued not at yᵉ table nor none other gaue attendau_n_ce for hym in his rowme. Lodwyke perceyued yᵗ [et] serued in his stede. And whan he had serued the Emperoure in his last seruyce vpon his knee, yᵉ Emperoure cōmau_n_ded hy_m_ to bere a dysshe vnto his doughter as he was wonte to do, thynkyng hym to be Alexander. Tho toke Lodwyke yᵉ dysshe [et] yede to yᵉ palays of the Emperours doughter [et] salued her wᵗ grete reuerence [et] set yᵉ mete afore her. but vnto yᵗ tyme he had not seen her she perceyued anone yᵗ it was not Alexander, [et] sayd to hym in this manere. What is your name, [et] whose sone are ye. [et] he answered to hyr [et] sayd, Madame I am yᵉ kynges sone of Frau_n_ce, [et] my name is Lodwyke. She sayd I thanke you of your laboure. [et] he toke his leue [et] departed. In yᵉ mene tyme came Alexander to yᵉ table, [et] they fulfylled ther seruyce. The dyner done anone Lodwyke went to his bedde sore seke. And Alexander apperceyuynge that went to his chamber [et] sayd to hym, O my best beloued frende [et] felowe Lodwyke how is it with you, [et] what is yᵉ cause of your infyrmite. He answered hym and sayd, yᵉ cause of it I knowe not but I fele me soo seke yᵗ I fere me I can not escape yᵉ dethe. Alexander sayd yᵉ cause of your infyrmyte and dysease I knowe well. For to daye whan as ye bare the mete vnto the Emperours doughter, ye behelde hyr vysage [et] beaute so feruently, yᵗ your herte is taken [et] rauysshed wᵗ her loue. Therupon he answered, O Alexander all the physysyans in the worlde coude not more truly iuge my sekenesse, but I fere it shall be my dethe. Then sayd Alexander, Be of good comforth and I shall helpe you vnto my power, [et] yede vnto the market [et] bought wᵗ his owne moneye a fayre clothe sette with precyous stones, vnknowynge to Lodwyke [et] presented it on his behalue vnto the mayden. [et] as she sawe yᵗ she asked hym where he myght that costely [et] precyouse cloth fynde to bye. [et] he sayd, Madame it is the sone of yᵉ moost crysten kynge yᵗ sendeth it vnto you for youre loue, for he but for one syght yᵗ he hathe had of you is so seke yᵗ he lyeth vpon his bed vnto the dethe. [et] therfore yf ye suffre hym to perysshe ye shall neuer recouer ayen your honoure. Tho sayd she, O Alexander wolde ye this cou_n_seyll me yᵗ I shold soo lese my vyrgynyte. God defende that. [et] be ye sure Alexander yᵗ of suche messages ye shall neuer more haue ne wyn thanke. Therfore go ye out of my syght [et] speke no more therof to me. whanne Alexander herde that he dyd his obeysaunce and departed. yᵉ nexte daye Alexander went ayen to the cyte [et] bought a chaplet that was two tymes more in value than yᵉ cloth, and therwith he yede to yᵉ maydens chamber [et] yaue it to hyr on the behalue of Lodwyke. And whan she sawe that costely gyfte she sayd vnto hym in this manere. I marueyle of you yᵗ soo oftentymes as ye haue seen and spoken with me, that ye haue not done your owne erande or spoken for your selfe but for an other. Then he answered, O madame I haue not ben so disposed, by cause that my byrthe is not to be compared with yours. And also it happened me neuer suche a case that my herte was so wounded, [et] he yᵗ hathe a gode felawe is bou_n_de for to doo hym good [et] true felysshyp. And therfore moost eccellent pryncesse of youre moost habundau_n_te pyte haue compassyon vpon hym [et] make hym hole that ye haue se wou_n_ded vnto yᵉ deth that it be not for euer layde vnto your crueltee [et] impyteouse herte. She answered hym, go your wayes for at this tyme I wyll gyue you none answere therof. And as he herde yᵗ he toke his leue [et] departed. And the thyrde daye he wente vnto the market [et] boughte a gyrdell yᵗ thre tymes was more in value [et] costelyer than the chaplet was, [et] presented it vnto her on the behalue of Lodwyke. And whan she sawe [et] behelde yᵗ so precyouse, she sayd vnto Alexander, Saye to Lodwyke yᵗ he come to my chamber aboute yᵉ thyrde hour in yᵉ nyght, and he shall fynde yᵉ dore open. [et] Alexander herynge that, he was glad, [et] went to his felow and sayd, My beste beloued felowe be ye of gode comforth, for I haue conquered yᵉ mayden vnto you, and in this nyght I shall brynge you vnto hyr chamber. And whan yᵗ was sayd, he stert vp as thoughe that he hadde wakened out of his slepe, [et] was well reuyued [et] for grete ioye he was made all hole. And yᵉ next nyght folowynge Alexander toke Lodwyke [et] brought hym vnto the chamber of yᵉ lady wᵗ whome he was in solace [et] joye all the nyght, [et] fro yᵗ tyme forth all hyr herte was vpon hym so yᵗ there was but one loue betwyxt them bothe. And after yᵗ Lodwyke vsed her oftentymes to vysyte. So yᵗ it came by processe of tyme to the eres of yᵉ knyghtes of ye courte, how yᵗ the Emperours doughter was knowen by Lodwyke: [et] conspyred amonges them selfe how yᵗ they myght hym therwith all fynde, [et] hym to take or sle. As Alexander had knowlege therof, he armed hym to withstande them. And whan the knyghtes vnderstode yᵗ they ferynge Alexander suffred his felowe to go in peas, [et] Alexander many tymes put hym selfe in ieopardye for hym, he not knowynge therof, but yᵉ mayde knewe it welle. In shorte tyme after yᵗ there came letters to Alexander of the dethe of the kynge of Egypt yᵗ he sholde hastely come and receyue his kyngdome with honour [et] joye, and that shewed he anone too the mayden and to Lodwyke. and also of his departynge, wherof they were sorowfull [et] heuy. he sayd also vnto yᵉ emperour, My mooste redoubted lorde please it you for to vnderstande that I haue receyued letters of the deth of my fader. Wherfore it behoueth me to go [et] receyue yᵉ kyngdome, and that ye wyll lycence me to depart, and for all benefetes to [me] done I offre my selfe [et] all my godes, [et] rather then I sholde by my goynge awaye offende or dysplese you my lorde I shall forsake all my realme [et] all yᵗ I haue in yᵉ world, [et] abyde wᵗ you styll. Then sayd yᵉ Emperoure, knowe ye for certayne yᵗ of your departynge I am ryght heuy for ye were vnto me the beste seruau_n_t that was in all my house. But it becometh not an Emperoure to lette his seruauntes frome ther promocyons, or auau_n_cementes, but soner to promote theym vnto hygher [et] gretter honoure. Therfore go ye vnto oure tresourer, [et] he shall delyuer you as moche golde as ye wyll haue, [et] in yᵉ name of god [et] with my blessynge go in to your cou_n_tre. and thus Alexander had leue of yᵉ Emperoure [et] bad farewell, [et] many of yᵉ courte were sorowfull of his departynge, for of all he was beloued. Lodwyke wᵗ the mayden brought hym on his waye well seuen myle. After that Alexander wolde not suffre theym for to go further. then fell they both to yᵉ grou_n_de for grete sorow [et] Alexander toke [et] lyfte them bothe vp ayen from yᵉ erthe, [et] comforted theym with fayre [et] swete wordes and sayd, O Lodwyke my moost beloued felawe, I warne you yᵗ the secretes beynge betwyxt you [et] my lady, ye hyde them [et] kepe them as preuely as ye may [et] take good hede to all thynges, for I wote an other shall come and be in my stede, that shall enuy you of the fauoure [et] grace, yᵗ ye stande in wᵗ the Emperoure and daye [et] nyght shall lye in a wayte to take you wᵗ a faute, [et] to put you to a rebuke. Then answered Lodwyke [et] sayd, O Alexander I shall be ware as moche as to me is possyble, but how shall I nowe do whan I wante your company, therfore one thynge I shall desyre of you yᵗ ye wyl take this rynge of me for a reme_m_brau_n_ce. Then sayd he I shall for the loue of you gladly receyue yᵉ rynge, [et] yet sholde I neuer wᵗoute yᵉ rynge forgete you, [et] comytted them too god. Then they embraced eche other aboute yᵉ necke [et] kyssed, and so departed frome other. Not longe after yᵗ the kynges sone of Spayne named Guydo was receyued of the Emperoure in yᵉ rowme [et] place of Alexander, to whome the stewarde assygned Alexander's place [et] chamber, whiche was sore ayenste yᵉ wyll of Lodwyke, but he coude not amende it. Guydo perceyuynge yᵗ Lodwyke ayenst his wyll had hym in his felysshyp, anone he toke [et] had enuye ayenst hym so that Lodwyke of a longe tyme for fere of ye sayd Guydo kepte hym out of yᵉ company of yᵉ sayd mayde. Neuerthelesse afterwarde ouercomen with the loue of yᵉ mayden, somtyme hau_n_ted [et] wente ayen to hyr as he afore tyme had done. Guydo shortly perceyuynge awayted so longe therupon, yᵗ he the trouthe knewe, and was therof in surete that the mayden was by Lodwyke knowen [et] hadde accompanyed with hym. Uppon a tyme it happened yᵗ the Emperoure stode in hys halle [et] praysed gretely Alexander of his gentylnes and wysedome. That herynge Guydo sayde, My lorde he is not soo moche worthy to be cōmended as ye wene for he hath ben a longe whyle a traytour in youre house. Thenne themperoure sayd telle me how. Guydo sayd, ye haue but one doughter oonly, yᵉ whiche shall be your heyre, and yᵗ Lodwyke hathe defouled [et] lyen by hyr by the helpe of Alexander: [et] he gothe to hyr euery nyght whan it pleaseth hym. and whan yᵉ Emperoure herde yᵗ he was sore meuyd [et] wexed angry, [et] it happened Lodwyke vpon yᵉ same tyme to come thrugh yᵉ hall and whan the Emperour sawe hym he sayd, what hear I of ye thou euyll and vntrue body. Yf it be founde [et] proued true thou shalt deye yᵉ moost shamefull dethe yᵗ cann be deuysed. Lodwyke sayd, My lorde yᵉ emperoure what is yᵉ cause. Guydo answered, I saye [et] depose here afore my lorde ayenst the yᵗ thou haste defouled his oonly doughter. [et] euery nyght thou goost to hyr [et] doost fornycacyon wᵗ her, and yᵗ in batayle I shall proue [et] make good vpon thy body wᵗ my body. Thenne sayd Lodwyke I am innocente, [et] not defectyue in yᵉ cryme, [et] falsely yᵘ puttest yᵗ and layest vpon me, [et] therupon I holde yᵉ batayle, for I truste on god thy falshede shall come vpon thyn owne hede. Then yᵉ Emperoure assygned theym the daye of batayle [et] fyghtynge. That done Lodwyke went vnto yᵉ mayden [et] shewed to her yᵉ cause [et] the daye of batayle by the Emperoure assygned and in what maner Guydo hadde hym accused, and sayd to hyr, Nowe it behoueth me to haue your cou_n_seyll, or els I muste deye for why as ye knowe it had not aueyled me to haue a-yensayd the batayle wᵗout I wolde haue yelded myselfe gylty. Guydo is stronge [et] hardy in armes that his lyke is none but Alexander, [et] I am weyke [et] feble [et] therfore yf I holde the batayle ayenst hym I am but a dede man, [et] so shall ye abyde shamed [et] rebuked. Then sayd she, Do my cou_n_seyle in that, yᵗ yᵉ mystrust youre selfe. Go hastely vnto my fader, [et] saye to hym that ye haue receyued letters, wherby that ye are acertayned that yᵉ lorde your fader is sore seke [et] lyeth vppon his dede bed [et] desyreth to se you [et] speke wᵗ youre persone, [et] to dyspose his kyngdome [et] his godes afore he departe out of this world, [et] desyre his lycence for the loue of your fader yᵗ ye maye go [et] vysite hym. [et] yᵗ he wyll proroge [et] lengthe the daye of bataylle whyles yᵗ ye maye go [et] come. And whan ye haue obteyned his congye or lycence, as hastely as ye may go secretely to the kynge Alexander, [et] whan ye are come to hym take hym aparte [et] shewe hym yᵉ cause of youre comynge [et] requyre hym in this youre vtter extremyte yᵗ he wylle vs helpe [et] ayde. And whan yᵗ Lodwyke had herd this cou_n_seyll, it pleased hym well [et] dyde hereafter. Hys leue goten [et] lenger daye or terme of batayle prefyxed and assygned departed [et] toke his iourneye towardes yᵉ realme of Egypte, [et] neuer letted daye nor nyght tyll he came vnto kynge Alexander's castell. [et] whan yᵉ kynge Alexander hadde vnderstondynge of his comynge he was moche glad [et] went to mete hym [et] receyued him honourably, [et] had wonder of his comyn̄ge. Tho sayd Lodwyke, O my dere lorde [et] my bestebyloued frende, my lyfe [et] my dethe is in youre handes, for as ye sayd to me afore yᵗ I sholde haue an other felowe yᵉ whiche sholde lye in a wayte to aspye me [et] too destroye me / wᵗout I save ye more wysely to my selfe: [et] as longe as I myght I absented me tyll yᵗ I coude no lenger. But afterwarde yᵉ kynges sone of Spayne makynge watch soo longe on me tyll that he perceyued yᵉ trouthe, [et] hathe accused me vnto yᵉ Emperoure, so that frome this daye vnto yᵉ viii. daye hereafter prefyxed it behoueth me to come [et] fyght wᵗ hym body ayenst body, and as ye knowe well he is a stronge [et] an hardy man, and I am weyke [et] feble, [et] therfore hath Florentyne cou_n_seyled me yᵗ I sholde not hyde this my charge frome you for she knoweth you for a faythfull frende, [et] that ye wolde not leue vs in this necessyte. Then sayd Alexander, is there ony body yᵗ knoweth of your comyng vnto me for this mater more than Florentyne. He answered hym [et] sayd no creature lyuynge, for I toke leue of yᵉ Emperoure to go [et] vysite my fader lyenge greuously seke. Then axed Alexander hym what cou_n_seyll hathe Florentyne gyuen to you howe [et] in what wyse I myght helpe you. He sayd, O moost constau_n_t [et] faythfull frende, in this wyse she hath cou_n_seylled me, co_n_syderynge yᵗ we be lyke, yᵗ ye sholde come [et] do yᵉ batayle wyth hym, no man shall knowe you but she, and the batayll done I shall come ayen to yᵉ court [et] ye vnto youre cou_n_tree. Then he asked whan yᵉ day sholde be of the batayle, and he sayd this daye, viii. dayes. Thenne sayd Alexander, yf I sholde this daye tary then can I not come to yᵗ daye prefyxed. Therfore se what I shall do. I haue boden all my subgectes that tomorowe they sholde come [et] be at my weddynge [et] brydale. and yf I sholde go than is yᵗ daye loste / and yf I go not [et] do the batayle than Florentyne [et] ye are bothe vndone. what thynke ye nowe beste for to doo. whan Lodwyke herde yᵗ he fell to the erthe [et] began to syghe [et] sorowe oute of mesure, saynge, sorow and heuynesse come to me on all sydes. Then sayd Alexander vnto hym, be of good comforte for I shall not forsake you thus, thoughe that I sholde lese my wyf [et] kyngdome but herken what that I haue thought in so moche as we are bothe lyke: soo yᵗ the one of vs can not be knowen frome yᵉ other but we be bothe togyder [et] I am not yet gretly knowen here. but my barons [et] other folke shall take you for me. Therfore here shall ye abyde [et] tary [et] mary my wyfe in my stede, [et] holde yᵉ feest [et] brydale, [et] do in all thynges as though I were there my selfe present, excepte whan as ye come to bedde wᵗ my wyfe loke yᵗ ye be there true [et] faythfull: [et] I shall wᵗoute taryenge go [et] take my horse [et] ryde theder as yᵉ batayle shall be, [et] yf god gyue me the vyctorye yᵗ I may ouercome [et] vaynquysshe your enemye, I shall come ayen secretlye, and ye shall go ageyne to youre partyes and dwellynge playce. Thys done, Alexander badde Lodwyke fare well, and toke his journeye towardes yᵉ Emperours courte, for to fyght and to do the batayle with Guydo. [et] Lodwyke abode in Egypt in the stede of kynge Alexander, and vpon the next mornynge came Lodwyke as though it hadde be kynge Alexander. [et] solemply in yᵉ face of the chirche maryed and spoused Alexander's wyfe, [et] helde yᵉ feest and brydale wᵗ grete royalte of delycate, [et] precyous metes, plente of all maner wynes, [et] dyuerse melodyes of instrumentes of musyke, and he made greate joye [et] chere to all the noble men, [et] to all other people yᵗ there was assembled. And whan yᵉ nyghte was come, he wente to bedde with yᵉ quene, [et] layd betwyxt hym and her a naked swerde, wherof she had greate wonder, but no thynge she sayd, and also he laye wᵗ hir euery nyght as longe as Alexander was out. ¶ The kynge Alexander at the daye yᵗ was prefixed [et] sette, came vnto yᵉ Emperoure [et] sayd, O most drad souerayne lorde it is so yᵗ I haue left my fader ryght seke. Neuerthelesse I am come for to defende myn honoure [et] my forwarde to performe. The Emperoure sayd ye do ryght well [et] accordynge to a noble man, [et] fortune shall fauoure you in your iuste [et] ryght wysse quarell. And whan the Emperours doughter vnderstode yᵗ Alexander was comen, anone she sent for him [et] whan as he was come to hyr she embraced hym, [et] with ioye [et] gladnesse she kyste hym, [et] blessed yᵉ tyme that she myght see hym ayen [et] demau_n_ded hym where he that hadde lefte hyr frende and louer Lodwyke. Then he shewed [et] declared vnto hyr all yᵉ processe [et] how he had left hym kyng in his realme, [et] toke his leue at hyr, [et] wente in to Lodwyke's chamber, [et] there was no creature yᵗ thought otherwyse but it was lodwyke, oonly excepte Florentyne. The next daye folowynge afore er Alexander went vnto yᵉ batayle he sayd vnto yᵉ Emperoure in yᵉ presence of Guydo. My moost redoubted souerayne lord this Guydo hath falsely [et] vntruely accused me vnto your noble grace, yᵗ I sholde be of suche aqueyntau_n_ce wᵗ youre doughter yᵗ sholde be vnto yᵉ dyshonoure of your moost noble persone [et] hyrs, [et] vnto yᵗ I swere [et] afferme, by this holy euau_n_gelyes yᵗ she was neuer in ony maner by me in suche wyse knowen as he hathe to you alledged [et] enformed, [et] that this daye wᵗ the ayde [et] yᵉ helpe of god I shall proue [et] make good vppon his body. Then sayd Guydo, yet ones I say ayen [et] swere by yᵉ holy euaungelyes [et] by all yᵗ god hathe made yᵗ thou hast hadde knowledge [et] hast defouled yᵉ Emperours doughter, [et] yᵗ I shall make good vpon thy hede. where vpon they lepte vpon theyr coursers, [et] fyersly ranne togyder wᵗ theyr speres yᵗ they bothe brake [et] shyuered in peces, [et] theye drewe theyr swerdes [et] faught longe togyder, tylle at yᵉ laste Alexander wᵗ grete myght and strengthe at one stroke smote of Guydoes hede, and sent it vnto yᵉ Emperour's doughter wherof she was ryght gladde, [et] bare it vnto her fader [et] sayd, Fader beholde the hede of hym yᵗ you [et] me hath falsely defamed. whan yᵗ the Emperoure perceyued yᵉ vyctory, anone he sent for Alexander whom yᵗ he beleued hadde ben Lodwyke [et] sayd, O Lodwyke this daye youre honoure [et] my doughters ye haue saued. ye shall stande [et] be the more in my grace [et] fauour, [et] what soeuer he be that hereafter more defame you he shall for euer stande in my indygnacyon. Alexander answerd, god helpethe [et] saueth theym yᵗ trusteth in hym, [et] alwayes wreketh yᵉ blode vndeffectyue or innocent. But now my moost redoubted lorde of one thynge I requyre you, at my departynge fro my fader I lefte hym sore seke yᵗ it wyll lyke you for to lycence me to go [et] se how it standethe wᵗ hym, [et] yf yᵗ it be ony thynge amended I shall incontynent come ayen. Then the Emperour sayd, that pleaseth me well, but ye maye in no manere wyse leue me for fro hensforth I can not be without your presence. Alexander toke leue of yᵉ Emperoure and bad hym fare well, [et] rode ayen vnto his realme whome whan Lodwyke sawe he made greate chere [et] gladnesse, [et] ryghte frendlye receyued hym [et] sayd, O moste true frende of all frendes, tell me howe ye haue done [et] spedd in your iourney [et] nede, and what ende ye haue brought it to. Then sayd he, goo to yᵉ Emperoure and serue hym as ye haue done tofore. I haue goten you more grace and fauoure of hym than euer ye haue hadde afore tyme [et] I haue also smyten of the hede of youre enmye and aduersarye. Then sayd Lodwyke, ye haue not only at this tyme saued my lyfe, but many a tymes here afore, yᵉ whiche as yet I can not deserue, but god rewarde you, [et] so departed [et] wente ayen vnto the Emperoure, [et] there was no man that knewe of the absence of Alexander saue oonly Lodwyke. And whan as the nyght was come he wente to bedde with the quene, [et] anone he hadde with hyr swete [et] frendly wordes [et] her embraced [et] kyst. Tho sayd she, ye haue made this tyme all to longe, that ye haue not shewed ony thyng of frendshyp or loue, how may this be. Thenne sayd he, wherfore saye ye that. She sayd, euery nyght as I was in my bed ye haue layde betwyxe you [et] me a naked swerde and ye haue neuer tasted or torned you towardes me more than nowe. And whan the kynge herde yᵗ he thought on yᵉ trouthe of hys felowe [et] sayd vnto hyr, O my moost dere lady [et] quene, it was not do[ne] for none euyll wyll, but for a gode probacōn [et] for a perpetuall loue. But she thought in her selfe yᵗ loue shall ye neuer more haue of me, but yᵗ dyspyte she thought I shall auenge vpon the. Tho was there a knyght yᵗ she afore had a lytell loue and fauour vnto, [et] she began for to loue hym more [et] more, so longe tyll at yᵉ laste they thoughte [et] ymagyned how they myght destroye [et] sle yᵉ kyng, [et] therfor they gate poyson [et] poysoned yᵉ kynge, soo yᵗ yf he had not ben ryght stronge of complexyon he had deyed thereof but it wrought in hym so sore yᵗ it caused hym to be yᵉ moost foule and horryble lepre or laser yᵗ euer was sene vpon erthe. The lordes [et] noble men of his realme [et] the quene also seynge this despysed hym [et] sayd, yᵗ it behoued not a lepre to regne vpon vs, for he sholde not procure nor engendre ony fayre or clene heyres. And so he was deposed of yᵉ dygnyte royall, [et] dryuen out of his realme. ¶ In the meane tyme deyed the Emperour of Rome, [et] Lodwyke wedded yᵉ doughter [et] after that Lodwyke's fader deyed, so that Lodwyke reygned bothe Emperoure [et] kynge of Fraunce at ones. Whan kynge Alexander herde that he thought in hymselfe, nowe my felowe reygneth togyder vpo_n_ thempyre [et] the realme of Frau_n_ce, to whome maye I better goo than to hym for whome many tymes I haue aduentured my lyfe. and vpon a nyght he rose vp [et] made hym redy [et] toke wᵗ hym hys staff [et] claper, [et] yede towarde themperours courte. And whan he was come nyghe to yᵉ yate, he set hym amonges other lasers abydynge yᵉ gyuynge of yᵉ almesse. and on a season as yᵉ Emperoure went out of his palays, all yᵉ pore lasers began to rynge theyr clapers, [et] yᵉ gode kynge Alexander dyd lyke yᵉ other, but there was none almesse gyuen to them. He taryed so longe vnto yᵉ tyme yᵗ themperour was set [et] serued at yᵉ table. Tho went kynge Alexander vnto yᵉ yate [et] knocked therat, [et] the porter asked who was there. Alexander answerd hy_m_ I am a pore despysed man, but for yᵉ loue of god I require you yᵗ ye torne not your syght fro my vysage, and yᵗ ye wyll for yᵉ rewarde of god do my message vnto yᵉ Emperour. he asked what is yᵉ mater. Alexander sayd go [et] tell hym here is a laser that ryght horryble is to see. The whiche prayeth hym for the loue of god [et] kynge Alexander that he wyll grau_n_te hy_m_ this daye to ete his almesse afore hym vpon the erthe in his hall. The porter sayd I wonder that ye dare desyre that of my lorde, for why all the hall is full of lordes [et] noble me_n_, [et] yf they beholde you they sholde all abhorre [et] leue theyr mete. But for so moche as ye haue requyred me so profou_n_dly for yᵉ loue of god I shall go [et] do youre erande what so euer happen therof. [et] so he yede forthe afore themperour [et] dyd his message. Whan yᵉ Emperour herde yᵉ porter name Alexander yᵉ kynge of Egypte, he sayd to yᵉ porter, go bryng hym in afore me how horryble yᵗ so euer his vysage be, [et] ordeyne hym a place afore me, yᵗ he may ete his mete afore me in my presence. The porter brought hym in anone, [et] ordeyned hym a place [et] set hym to mete afore yᵉ Emperour, [et] whan he was well refresshed he sayd vnto one of the Emperours seruau_n_tes, My dere frende do me thys erande to yᵉ Emperoure. Saye vnto hym yᵗ I praye hym for yᵉ loue of god [et] kynge Alexander yᵗ he wylle sende me his cuppe wᵗ wyne. The seruau_n_t sayd for yᵉ loue of god I shall doo it, but I beleue it wyll not be, for yf ye ones drynke of my lordes cuppe, he wyll no more drynke of yᵉ same. neuerthelesse he dyd yᵉ erande. Anone as the Emperoure herde hym name kynge Alexander, he cōmaunded his cuppe to be fylled of the beste wyne [et] bere it vnto hym. The whiche wyne wha_n_ he hadde receyued it he put it into hys botelle, [et] toke his rynge yᵗ Lodwyke had gyuen vnto hym [et] put it in to the cuppe, [et] sent it ayen vnto yᵉ Emperour, and whan yᵉ Emperoure sawe the rynge anone he knew it yᵗ it was the same yᵗ he had gyuen vnto Alexander in frendeshyp whan yᵗ he departed fro hym, [et] thoughte in his herte yᵗ Alexander is dede, or ellys this man is merueylously come vnto yᵉ rynge, [et] cōmau_n_ded anone that the laser sholde not departe vnto yᵉ tyme he had spoken wᵗ hym, for in no wyse he coude haue knowlege of hym nor yet reputed hym for Alexander, after that the dyner was done [et] ended, the Emperoure toke the seke man aparte and askyd howe he came by yᵉ rynge. Alexander demau_n_ded yf he knewe well yᵉ rynge. The Emperour sayd, I knowe it ryght well. Alexander sayd, wote ye also to whome ye haue gyuen it. Themperour sayd I wote ryght well. Howe is it than sayd Alexander yᵗ ye knowe not me, for I am Alexander to whome ye haue gyuen yᵉ same rynge. whan the Emperoure herde yᵗ he felle downe to the grou_n_de for sorowe [et] tare and rente his robys [et] clothes, [et] wᵗ grete syghynges and bewaylynges sayd, O Alexander ye be the one halfe of my soule, whehe (_sic_) is your goodlye and delycate body yᵗ was so fayre yᵗ nowe so vnclene [et] wretchedly is enfecte. he answered, This is me hapned for the grete fydelyte that ye haue done to me in my bedde with my wyfe, whan ye layd a naked swerde betwyxt you [et] hyr, wherfore she became wrothe [et] hated me, that she [et] a knyght that afore tyme she ought hir loue vnto haue impoysened me as ye maye see. [et] aboue yᵗ they haue dryuen me out of my realme. [et] whan the Emperoure herde that he for loue toke hym aboute yᵉ necke [et] kyste hym [et] sayd, O my moost entyerlye beloued brother, I sorowe to see you in this grete syknesse [et] mysery, wolde god I myght deye for you, but my moost dere frende, suffre pacyently a lytell tyme tyll yᵗ we haue sente for all yᵉ physycyens [et] wyse maysters in physyke to haue theyr counseylle [et] aduyse. yf there be ony remedye or hope of recouerynge of your helthe, [et] yf it be possyble for to helpe you, we shall neyther spare Empyre lordshyps nor other good temporall to make you hole [et] sou_n_de. In the meane whyle he was brought into a fayre chamber rychely appareylled [et] appoynted of all maner thynges yᵗ were requysyte [et] necessarye for his ease [et] helthe. [et] in all haste he sente his messangers by all partyes of yᵉ worlde, for yᵉ experte [et] moost wyse physycyens yᵗ myght be fou_n_de. Of whome within a moneth were come [et] assembled before yᵉ Emperoure xxx. yᵉ whiche were ryght experte [et] subtyll in yᵉ scyence. To whome themperour sayd, My welbeloued maysters I haue a frende yᵗ greuousely is infecte wᵗ a lepry, whome I wolde ryght fayne were heled [et] made sou_n_de. [et] no thynge theron to spare neyther golde ne syluer ne all yᵉ other goodes yᵗ I haue in this worlde, but I wolde gyue it to recouer hys helthe. The maysters answered [et] sayd all yᵗ euer is possyble to be done by physyke yᵗ ye shall sone vnderstande after yᵗ we haue seen the persone. [et] forthwᵗ as they had seen hym, [et] perceyued yᵉ cause [et] mater of yᵉ infyrmyte, they iuged it a dysease vncurable for all yᵉ maysters lyuynge. and whan the Emperoure herde yᵗ he was ryght sory in hys herte, [et] remytted it vnto yᵉ helpe of almyghty god callynge vnto hym relygyous men, [et] poore people, [et] other deuoute persones [et] desyred theym to praye to god, yᵗ he wolde wouchesaufe to make hole his frende yᵉ sooner for theyr gode dedes [et] prayers. and he hymselfe with manye other fasted [et] prayed humbly to almyghty god for yᵉ helth of his frende. Uppon a daye as kynge Alexander was in his prayers, there came vnto hym a voyce saynge Yf the Emperoure wyll wᵗ his owne handes slee hys two sones, whiche his wyfe hathe born by hym at one burden, [et] wasshe thy body wᵗ the blode of them, thy body [et] thy flesshe shall be as fayre [et] as clene as yᵉ flessh of the lytell chyldern. whan kynge Alexander had herde this he thought in hymselfe, this vysyon is not expedyente to be shewed for it is sore ayenste nature yᵗ ony man sholde slee his owne sones for yᵉ recoueryng of the helthe of a strau_n_ge man. The Emperour nyght [et] daye laye in his prayers wᵗ greate deuocyon, [et] prayed to god for yᵉ remedye of kynge Alexander. So yᵗ at the laste there came a voyce vnto hym [et] sayd, how longe shall ye thus crye [et] calle vpon me whanne it is openly shewed [et] notefyed vnto Alexander how that he shall be made hole. The Emperoure herynge that wente vnto Alexander [et] sayd, Of all frendes yᵉ beste [et] mooste true, blessed be the moost hyghe god the whyche neuer faylethe yᵗ call [et] truste vpon hym, of whome I haue knowlege yᵗ it is shewed vnto you howe [et] in what wyse that ye maye be made hole, wherfore I praye you that ye wyll it openly shewe vnto me that we maye joye togyder. [et] yf ye nede ony thynge therto that I maye do I shall fulfyll it vnto my powere and for your helthe gyue all yᵗ I haue. Alexander said Syr I dare not shewe to you how yᵗ I maye be cured or heled of my maladye, for it excedethe [et] it is a thynge ayenste nature for to be done, therfore I wyll not shewe it to you, howe be it grete truste [et] confydence is in you. The Emperoure sayde Alexander truste in me, for what so euer is possyble for to be done for the recouerynge of youre helthe I shall do it [et] therfore hyde no thynge frome me. Then sayd Alexander I haue of god knowlege yᵗ yf ye wyll slee youre two sones with youre owne handes [et] wasshe me in theyre blode I sholde be hole, [et] therfore I haue not shewed it vnto you, for me thynketh it is ayenst nature yᵗ the fader sholde slewe his owne chyldern for yᵉ helthe of a straunge man. The Emperoure sayd saye not yᵗ ye be a straunge man, for I loue you as I do my selfe, [et] therfore yf I hadde ten chyldern I sholde notte spare one alyue to haue youre helthe. after that yᵉ Emperoure watched [et] spyed his tyme whan yᵉ Empresse [et] all ladyes [et] chambereres were oute of yᵉ waye [et] whan tyme was he entred into yᵉ chamber where as the chyldern slepte, [et] drewe out his knyfe [et] cutte asonder bothe theyr throtes, [et] gadred yᵉ blode in a vessell, [et] therin he bathed [et] wasshed Alexander. [et] whan he was so bathed his body [et] flesshe was as fayre [et] as clene as thought (_sic_) it had ben of a yonge chylde. Then yᵉ emperour had knowlege of his vysage, [et] kyssed hym say_n_g, O good Alexander nowe I see you in yᵉ same forme whiche I haue often tymes dylected in, blessed be god that euer I hadde thyse chyldern, by ye whome ye be holpen and made hole. [et] yet wyste no man of the deth of yᵉ chyldern saue oonly yᵉ emperoure [et] Alexander. [et] whan as the emperoure sawe yᵗ Alexander was parfytly heled, he sayd vnto hym, I shall ordeyne to you an honeste companye [et] ye shall go frome hens ten myle the next daye sende vnto me a messager, [et] yᵗ ye shew openly vnto me of youre comynge, and I shall then with all solempnyte come [et] mete you, [et] ye shall abyde with me vnto the tyme that we maye otherwyse prouyde for yᵉ recouerynge of youre realme. This cou_n_seyll pleased Alexander ryght well, [et] accordynge to yᵉ same it was done, for on yᵉ nexte daye came yᵉ messager vnto the emperoure shewynge hym yᵉ comynge of kynge Alexander [et] whanne the empresse herde that she was ryghte gladde, [et] sayd vnto the emperoure, O my lorde haue ye not nowe a cause of greate ioye, that kyng Alexander whome we of a longe tyme haue not seen. and yf it please you to go and mete hym with your lordes and seruau_n_tes, I shall folowe you with my ladyes [et] gentylwymen. [et] yet wyste she not the dethe of hyr chyldern. Then rode they forth with a grete companye and met with the kynge Alexander and whan they mette togyder, with greate reuerence and honoure they receyued hym, and with grete gladnesse and joye they broughte hym in to the palays. and whanne the tyme of dyner was come Alexander was set at yᵉ table betwyxt yᵉ emperour [et] yᵉ empresse [et] all the chere yᵗ she coude make she dyd to hym. and whan the Emperour perceyued that, he was ryghte well pleased [et] sayd, O myne owne Florentyne I joye aboue all thynges yᵗ ye do [et] make to kynge Alexander soo gode chere. Then sayd she, wherfore sholde I not, is not his comynge to vs bothe joye [et] gladnesse but more to you my lorde, for this dygnyte yᵗ ye are in by hym ye are promoted, [et] many tymes he hathe saued you fro yᵉ dethe. Themperour sayd than I praye you myn owne Florentyne yᵗ ye wyll take hede to my wordes yᵗ I shall saye to you. Sawe ye not yᵉ foule laser, whiche the laste daye sate before oure table, and prayed me for the loue of god [et] kynge Alexander yᵗ I shold gyue hym drynke. she sayd, My lorde I saw hym well a more horryble man I neuer behelde. then sayd Themperoure, I demaunde nowe this of you. I put case yᵗ he were kynge Alexander [et] that he in ony wyse coude not be made hole but wᵗ the blood of your sones, the whiche ye in one daye brought in to this worlde, wolde ye not yᵗ theyr bloode were shed that he myght bathe hym therin to yᵉ entente yᵗ by the same he myght haue parfyte helthe as ye nowe se hym in. She sayd my lorde wherfore demau_n_de ye me yᵗ question. I saye [et] lete you haue knowlege for trouthe that yf I hadde ten sones I sholde gladly slee them wᵗ min owne handes to prepare [et] ordeyne for hym a bayne, [et] sholde wasshe hym therin myne owne selfe, rather than I sholde leue hym in suche peryll. for god myght well sende vs mo chyldern. but suche a true frende were as a thynge impossyble for vs to recouer or fynde. Whan themperour herde this of hyr, he was well co_n_tente [et] pleased in his mynde [et] sayd, O wyfe had ye leuer haue your chyldern dede than Alexander shold be in yᵗ sekenesse of lepery. therfore shall I open and shewe to you nowe yᵉ trouthe of yᵉ mater. That foule laser the whiche ye sawe was Alexander that syttethe here, [et] by yᵗ maner he is made hole wᵗ the blode of our sones, [et] they are dede: as yᵉ Empresse herde yᵗ she began to sorowe as nature wolde, all thoughe she had sayd afore yᵗ she had leuer see hyr chyldern dede than she wolde suffre Alexander in suche payne. The nourysshes of yᵉ chyldern vnderstandynge this, wᵗ grete cryenge [et] wepynge went to yᵉ nourysshery or chamber of them, [et] grete sorowe [et] bewaylynge was made thrughe themperours courte for his sones. [et] whan the nourysshes came into yᵉ chamber, they fou_n_de the chyldern playnge [et] syngynge of yᵉ moost blessed vyrgyne Mary, aue maria gracia plena dn̄s tecum, [et] tho went they ayen in all haste vnto yᵉ Emperour [et] shewed hym yᵗ his sones were lyuynge [et] that about theyr throtes there as they were cutte they haue a cercle of threde of golde, [et] therof was grete joy [et] gladnesse in all yᵉ courte, [et] gaue thankynges vnto al[m]yghty god [et] to yᵉ blessed vyrgyne mary his moder of yᵗ grete myracle. after yᵗ themperoure wᵗ a grete multytude and company of people gadred [et] assembled went wᵗ Alexander into Egypte [et] set hym ayen into his royalte [et] possessyon of his Realme [et] the quene wᵗ the knyghte whiche lyued togyder in auoutry he dyd the_m_ both to be brent in too poudre. And whan this was all done, the Emperoure hadde a syster oonly whom he gaue Alexander vnto his wyfe. And whanne kynge Alexander had all his realme obteyned ayen [et] was sette in gode reste [et] peas yᵉ Emperoure wente ayen vnto his Empire, [et] the kynge Alexander ryght wysely [et] manly gouerned hymselfe in all his feates [et] actes so yᵗ he ouercame all his enmyes [et] rebelles. And whan he was in al his glorye, peas [et] myght, he hadde thought [et] mynde vpon his fader [et] moder, by whome he was caste into the see, which dwelled in ferre partyes from thens he sent to them a messager [et] dyd them to haue knowelege yᵗ the kynge of Egypte vpon suche a daye wolde be wᵗ them to ete [et] to drynke [et] to make good chere. and whan the messager was come too them, they receyued hym wᵗ grete joye [et] with gyftes largely to hym gyue_n_ sent hym ayen, saynge yᵗ theyr seruyces sholde be redy at all tymes to do yᵉ kynge plesure but yᵗ coude they neuer by power fully deserue yᵗ he wolde wouchesauf to shewe them yᵗ honoure, wherto they were not worthy, he for to come to them to ete [et] to drynke [et] sporte hym. The messager went ayen vnto yᵉ kynge [et] shewed how gladlye yᵗ they wolde receyue hym, [et] what rewarde they had gyuen hym [et] how faythfully they were [et] redy to do hym seruyce at his cōmau_n_dement, wherewᵗ the kynge was well co_n_tente. And whan yᵉ daye was comen yᵗ was prefyxed, the kynge with a fayre co_m_pany rode towarde his faders house, yᵉ whiche as well to yᵉ knyght his fader as to his moder was vnknowen that he was theyr sone. Whanne the kynge was come nygh vnto his faders castell, the knyght rode to receyue and mete hym, [et] whan he come nyghe vnto yᵉ kynge he descended frome his horse [et] reuerenced hym with his knee on the erthe, but the kynge toke hym vp shortly, [et] comau_n_ded hym to ascende ayen vpon his horse, [et] rode so togyder cheke by cheke vnto yᵉ castell. And whan they were come theder the moder came them to mete, [et] felle vpon hyr knees to yᵉ erthe [et] welcomed hym gladly. The kynge toke hyr louynly vp [et] kyssed hyr ryght frendly. [et] she sayd, My moost honorable lorde ye do vnto vs vnworthy grete honour wᵗ the presence of your persone moost honourable, the whiche we neuer more can deserue. After yᵗ all the mete was all redy, [et] the tyme of yᵉ day was come to go to dyner. The fader came wᵗ a basyn, [et] with an ewyr, [et] the moder wᵗ a towell saynge, Syre all thynge is redye, please it you to wasshe. [et] whan yᵉ kyng sawe that he smyled [et] sayd vnto hymselfe, Nowe is yᵉ songe of the nyghtyngale true, for my fader [et] my moder sholde gladly fulfyll as I sayd, yf yᵗ I my selfe wolde therto consente and suffre them to do it. But he wold not suffre theym for to doo too hym suche seruyce, saynge youre aege is for to be honoured and worshypped / [et] therfore I wyll not of it, and called vnto hym one of his seruauntes the whiche serued hym therof. Thenne sayd the knyght, ye wyll not suffre vs too do it for our honour, for we are not worthy therto. The kynge sayd, haue not I sayd that for your aege I forbere you it. whan yᵉ kynge was set at yᵉ table, he set his moder on yᵉ ryght hande of hym, [et] his fader on his lefte syde [et] they as moche as they myght behelde his vysage [et] cou_n_tenau_n_ce. The dyner ended yᵉ kynge entred in to a chamber, [et] made yᵉ knyght wᵗ his lady to come in to hym, [et] comau_n_ded all other to auoyde [et] goo out. and whan they were thus alone, yᵉ kynge sayd vnto them haue ye no chyldern. They answerd we haue neyther sone ne doughter. and yᵉ kynge sayd had ye neuer none. The knyght answered, we haue hadde one sone, but he is longe agone dede. The kynge asked of what dethe deyed he. The knyghte sayd, a naturall dethe: Tho sayd yᵉ kynge, yf I maye otherwyse knowe yᵗ he deyed than are yᵉ fou_n_de wᵗ a defawte. Tho asked the knyghte, My lorde wherfore enquyre ye thus after oure sone. The kynge answered, that do I not wᵗout cause, [et] therfore I wyll knowe of what dethe he deyed. [et] yf ye wyll not tell me I shall cause you to deye a shamefull dethe. whan they herde that they fell too grou_n_de upon ther knees afore hym [et] asked hym mercye [et] forgyuenesse of theyr lyues. The kynge wolde not suffre them to knele, but scortly toke them vp [et] sayd, To that entente came I not in to your house to ete your brede [et] to betraye you. but saye me yᵉ trouthe [et] ye shall be saued, for it is gyuen me to vndesta_n_de that ye haue put hym to dethe, and yf that come in iugemente ye muste deye a shamefull dethe. Than sayd the knyght, lorde pardone me my lyfe [et] I shall shew you yᵉ very trouthe. The kynge sayd fere not, for I shall do you no harme. Tho sayd he, Souerayne lorde we had a sone oonly yᵗ was wyse [et] lettred [et] ryght well vnderstande. And vpon a tyme as he stode afore vs [et] serued at yᵉ table, There came a nyghtyngale yᵗ ryght swetly songe, whoos songe he began to interprete and tell vs what it mente [et] sayd: This byrde syngeth that I shall become so grete [et] myghty a lorde yᵗ it shall be to youre honoure [et] aduau_n_seme_n_t in suche wyse yᵗ ye my fader shall be gladde to holde yᵉ basyn wᵗ water to wasshe in my handes, [et] my moder yᵉ towell yf yᵗ I wolde suffre it. And whan I herde yᵗ I was sore meued [et] toke [et] caste hym in to yᵉ see for too drowne. Tho sayd the kynge what euyll myght haue come to you yf he hadd ben made so grete [et] myghty, me thynketh it sholde haue been youre honoure [et] proufyte. The knyghte sayd lorde it was no reason but a woodnesse. The kynge answered: yᵗ was a grete folysshnes of you yᵗ yᵉ wolde do ayenst yᵉ ordynau_n_ce [et] wylle of god. But nowe ye shall knowe for trouth yᵗ I am youre sone yᵗ ye caste in to yᵉ see. [et] god of his grete mercye [et] goodnesse hathe saued me, [et] by his grace hathe brought me too this astate [et] dygnyte. and yᵉ fader [et] moder herynge yᵗ with fere [et] joye replenysshed fell flat to yᵉ grou_n_de, whom he louy_n_ly [et] frendly toke vp sayng fere not, but rather be glad [et] joyous for ye shall no thynge suffre, but my exaltacyon shall be your glorye [et] joye [et] proufyte [et] kyste bothe his fader [et] moder wᵗ grete joye [et] gladnesse. Tho began yᵉ meder (_sic_) to wepe. Than sayd yᵉ kynge wepe not but be of gode chere for in my realme yᵉ shall be honoured aboue me durynge my lyf [et] toke them wᵗ hym in to his realme where they dwelled togyder in honour [et] joye, [et] ended theyr dayes wᵗ joye [et] myrthe.