Alexander and Dindimus/Text

by Walter W. Skeat

Layout 2

Alexander.

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[Fol. 309]  [How alixandre partyd þennys.] Whan þis weith at his wil · weduring hadde,Ful raþe rommede he · rydinge þedirre.To oridrace wiþ his ost · alixandre wendus,4Alexander comes to the Oxydrace Þere wilde contre was wist · & wondurful peple,Þat weren proued ful proude · & prys of hem helde.This people go naked. Of bodi wente thei bar · wiþ-oute any wede,& hadde graue on þe ground · many grete cauys.8Þere here wonnynge was · wyntrus & somerus.No syte nor no sur stede · soþli þei ne hadde,But holus holwe in þe ground · to hiden hem inne.and live in caves. They are called the Gymnosphists. Þe proude genosophistiens · were þe gomus called; 12Now þat name to mene · the nakid wise.Wan the kiddeste of þe cauus · þat was king holdeHurde tiþinge telle · & toknynge wiste,Þat alixandre wiþ his ost · atlede þidire,16To be holden of hem · hure hieȝest prynce,

Their king sends a letter to Alexander, Þanne weies of worschipe · wittie & quainteWiþ his lettres he let · to þe lud sende.Þanne southte þei sone · þe forsaide prynce,20& to þe schamlese schalk · schewden hur lettres;which he reads Þanne raþe let þe rink · reden þe sonde,Þat newe tiþinge [tid] · it tolde in þis wise."The Gymnopsophists greet Alexander. "Þe gentil genosophistiens · þat goode were of witte,24To þe emperour alixandre · here answeruus wreten,Þat is worschipe of word · worþi to haue,& is conquerour kid · in contres manie.—Vs is sertefied, seg · as we soþ heren,28If you come to fight us, you will get nothing by it. Þat þou hast ment wiþ þi men · amongus vs fare.But ȝif þou king, to us come · wiþ caire to fiȝhte,Of us getist þou no good · gome, we þe warne.For what richesse, rink · vs miȝht þou bi-reueWhan no wordliche wele · is wiþ us founde?We ben sengle of us silf · & semen ful bare,Nouht welde we now · but naked we wende;We have nothing to lose. & þat we happili her · haven of kynde36May no man but god · maken us tine.Þei þou fonde wiþ þi folke · to fiȝhte wiþ us alle,We schulle us kepe oncauȝt · oure cauus wiþinne;Neuere werrede we · wiþ wiȝth up-on erþe,40We shall hide in our caves." For we ben hid in oure holis · or we harm lacche."Þus saide soþli þe sonde · þat þei sente hadde;& al so cof as þe king · kende þe sawe,Newe lettres he let · þe ludus bi-take,& wiþ his sawus of soþ · he sikurede hen alle,Þat he wolde fare wiþ his folk · in a faire wise To bi-holden here hom · & non harm wirke.So haþ þe king to hem sente & siþenn wiþ his peple48 Kairus cofli til hem · to kenne of hure fare.But they are afraid But whan þei sien þe seg · wiþ so manie ryde,and hide them-selves Þei were a-grisen of his grym · & wende gref þolie.Faste heiede þei to holis · & hidden hem^[1] þere,52& in cauus hem kepte · fro þe king sterne.Their wives and children remain visible Þanne weren from hem went · wifis & children,Wiþ oþur bestus aboute · þat hem bi ferde.Alexander asks why they too do not hide in caves? Aftur ferde alixandre · & asked hem sone,56By ludus of þe langage · how þei leue miȝhte?And ȝif þei ne hadde none holis · on þe holw erþe,As hadde þe weies þat were · here wordliche makus?Þanne þei caire wiþ þe king · hur cauus to schewe,60& kennen þe conquerour · hur costomus alle,They say that they dwell in the caves too & saide "seg, to us silf · sofisen þis cauus,Of oþur hous þan her arne · haue we no nede."Alexander promises to grant that them any boon whatever. Whan alle þei to alixandre · hadde answere i-ȝoulde64Þe king cortais i-kid · cofliche saide,"For i haue founde you folk · faiþful of specheMe to lere of ȝour lif · with-oute les taleȜernes now of my ȝift · þat ȝou leue were,68& what it be þat ȝe bidde · ȝour bonus i graunte."They ask for everlasting life. Þanne saide þei, "wordlich weiȝ · we wische of þi^[2] ȝifteAi-lastinge lif · to lacchen up-on erþe;Þat us derye no deþ · desire we nouþe,72For oþur wordliche won · at wille we haue."He replies that he himself is but mortal "Nai sertus," saide þe noble · "þat may not be grauntedOf me, þat miȝhteles am · my silf so to kepe. I am silkure of my silf · to suffre min ende;76I ne haue no lordschipe of lif · to lengþe my daies."They ask "why then do you want to conquer the world?" "Seg," saide þei again · "syn þou so knowist,Þat þe is demed þe deþ · to dure nouht longe,Whi farest þou so fihtinge · folk to distroie,80& for to winne þe word · wendest so romme?How miȝht þou kepe þe of sckaþe · with skile & with trouþeAȝeins rhyt to bireue · rengnus of kinguus?"Þanne agayn saide þe gome · wiþ a good chere,84He says he is king by the Grace of God "Þorou þe grace of god · i gete þat .i. haue.Þei han demed me, or deþ · þhorou dintus of miȝhte,Of erþe to be emperour · in euerych a side.^[3]Sin i haue grace of þat graunt · grimmest to worþe,88I wrouthe wrecheli now · & wraþede drihten,and must fulfil his destiny Ȝif i for dul of any deþ · my destene fledde,Þat is markid to me · & to no mo kinguus.Men seþ wel þat þe see · seseþ & stinteþ,92[Fol 309, back] But whan þe wind on þe watur · þe wawus arereþ.So wolde .i. reste me raþe · & ride ferþe,Neuere to gete more good · no mo gome derie,Bute as þe heie heuene goodus · wiþ herteli þouhtus96So a-wecchen my wit · & my wil chaungen,He cannot rest still anywhere Þat .i. mai stinte no stounde · stille in o place,Þat i ne am temted ful tid · to turne me þennus.& sin we wetin hur wil · to worchen^[4] on erþe,100We mowe be soþliche isaid · hur seruauntus hende.Were all men wise alike Ȝif god sente euery gome · þat goþ up-on moldeWordliche wisdam · & wittus iliche,Betur miȝhte no burn · be þan an oþur; 104 Apere miȝhte þe pore · to parte wiþ þe riche.all would be equal, like beasts Þanne ferde þe worlde as a feld · þat ful were of bestes,Whan eueri lud liche wel · lyuede up-on erþe.But some must be kings For þat enchesoun god ches · oþur chef kinguus,108and Alexander their chief Þat scholde maistrus be maad · ouur mene peple;And me is markid to be · most of alle oþure, Whan þis sawe was said · þe semliche prynce112For þe fore-saide folk · fondes to rideÞanne he farus to a feld · ful fair & ful large,Alexander sees some trees,
which bear fruit while the sun shines, Þat stod on an hie stede · a-stored wiþ frutus.Þere sai he semliche tres · wiþ þe sonne woxe,116Þat frut baren hem a-boue · on bowus ful þikke.& al so sone as þe sonne · sesed to schine,Þat don^[5] was þe day · fordon of þe cloudus,Þe tres seseden of siȝht · & sonken to gronde,120Þat frekus miȝht no friþ · no no frut kenne.As raþe as þe sonne ros · & reed gan schine,but disappear when it is dark. Þat his lem on þe loft ·liȝht ȝaf aboute,

Þe tres spradden hure spraies · & spronngen on hiȝþe,124& grete grouuede frut · on þe grene braunchus.He sends for some of the fruit Þan comaundede þe king · cofli to feche Of þat freliche frut · þat þe frekus sie.^[6]Þan [buskede]^[7] a bokd kniht · & to a bow stirte,128ÞE sote-sauered frut · sone to pulle.But al^[8] so raþe as þe rink · gan þe ris touche,The man who attempts to pluck it is slain Doun fel he wiþ dul · ded in þe place;& siþen sent was a vois · son fro heuene,132Þat non trinde þe tres · last þe taried were!In each tree sat a bird. For eueri grene growe tre · that on þe ground spronge Hadde bremliche a brid · þe braunchus alofte,Þat whan þer buskede a burn · a bow for to touche,136 that spaarks of deadly fire Þei spatten sparclus of fir · and spilden him raþe.

How alixandre remewid to a flod þat is called phison.][A Picture I.]

Alexander comes to the Pison, As sone þe king sai · þat it so ferde.He dide him forþ to flod · þat phison is called,þat writen is in holi wriht · & wrouht so to name.140a river of Paradise From perlese paradis · passeþ þe stronde;also called the Gangees. In cost þer þe king was · men called hit gena,As was þe langage of þe lond · wiþ ludus of inde.

Þere made þe mascedonius king · his men for to stinte,And bi þe banke of þe strem · he biggede his tentus.145Þanne þe mascedonius men · in þe men tymeHe see some men beyond the river, Bi-ȝonde phisonus flod · saien folk rome.For-þe bad þe bold king · that burnus of inde148Scholde talken hem til · & tidliche enquereÞe name of hure nacion · nedli to knowe;For miche wilnede þe weiȝht · to witen of here fare.but cannot reach them for the serpents there. Ride miȝhte nouht þe rink · ouur þe romme stronde152For þe wormus þat were · bi þe watir founde.For, out-taken .viij. wokus · of al þe watir founde.Excpet in July and August, Þat is soþli to saie · þe sesoun of iuli,And heruest þat hastly aftyr him folweþ—156 there are dragons Dredful dragonus · drawen hem þiddire,hippotamuses Addrus & ypotamus · & oþure ille wormus,and crocodilles there. & careful cocodrillus · þat þe king lette.For skaþe of þe scorpionus · askape þei ne miȝhte;160So riue romede þei · þe riuer bi-side.As prest as þe pris king · sai his pres stinte,Þat he fer wiþ his folk^[9] · fare ne miȝhte,For þe bestus of bale · þat bi þe watur ferde,164& harm of þe hound-fich · þat houede þer-inne,Alexander class to one of the Of þe seggus þat he sai · bi-ȝonde þe side strondestrangers to come over in a boat Ho dide calle ffor to come · to carpen him tille.When þei hurden [h]is houp · hastiliche aftur168A lud to a litil boot · lepus in haste,[Fol. 210] And raþe to þe reiche king · romwus alone, And aftur alixandre · askeþ his wille. A wel-langaged lud · let þe king sone172 Aspien ful spedliche · bi speche of þe lande,He asks who they are. In what kyþ wer þei kid · of of what hit called were.& ho were lord of hur land · & ledere of alle.They say they are Brahmans, and their king is Dindimus. "We were in bragmanie bred" · saide þe burn þanne,"& dindimus þe dere king · our demere is holde."177"Sertus," saide alixandre · "þi sawe me quemus,Me haþ longe to ȝoour land · liked to wende;Wiþ ȝou to carpe in þis kiþ · couaited y ȝorne;180 For miche ludus of ȝour lif · listned ich haue."Alexander gives the stranger a letter, for Dindimus. Þanne let þe lordliche king · lettres endite,& þere-on settus his sel · & sithen hem takusTo þe burn on his bot · & bad him in haste184 To þe king of hur kiþ · carien his sonde.Þanne whitli þe weiht · ouur þe watur sterus.And þe lettrus to his lord · ledus ful sone.As sone as his king say · þat sonde him yprofred,188He hit lacchus of þe lud · & lokus þer-inne;Contents of the letter. & ȝif ȝe Ludus haue list · þe lettrus to knowe,Tendeþ how þis tale is titeled þer-inne."Alexander, "Þe kidde king alixandre · þat couþ is in erþe,192Þat name haþ of noblete · & neuere man dradde,son of Ammon, Þat grete god amon · in graciouce timusBi-gat on olimpias · þe onurable quene.greets king Dindimus. Dindimus þe dere king · doþ for to grete.196Þat lord of bragmanus lond · & ledere is holde,& in þis same wise saiþ & sendeþ him gon,& til alle þat arn · aftur him þare.—199We have often heard of you. We han, ludus, of ȝour lif · listned ful ofte,You never plough, Þat michil ben ȝour manerus · fram oþur men varied.For ȝe non erthe ne eren^[10] · þat erne ȝou miȝhteFode for to fare wiþ · as oþur fok^[11] vsen. On se saile ȝe nouht · in sesoun of ȝere,204nor fish. For to fihche on þe fom · of finde any praie.But litil leue we þat · lud, i þe warne,Is this true? For-þi bi-seche y þe, seg · ȝif it soþ were,207Send me tyþinge^[12] tid · & tel me þe soþe,Þat y may witen of ȝour werk · & of ȝour wonus alle.If so I never heard of a more wonderful people. For ȝif men saiþ bi ȝow soþ · þe sawe þat y hirde,Of more meruailouse men · miȝhte i nouht kenne.Ȝif wisdam or wit · in ȝour werk finde,212Þat god aloweþ ȝour lif · & likeþ your dedes,Y schal ȝour costomus, king · couaite to holde,& fonde for bi^[13] miȝht · ȝour fare to sinke.^[14]For fram þe ȝouþe of my ȝer · ȝerned ich haue216Of wide werkus to wite · & wisdam lere;We were taught that no people are so holy that they can blame us We weren tauht in oure time · & tendide lorus,Of oure doctourus dere · demed for wise,Þat non haþel vndur heuene · so holi is founde,220Þat mihte a-legge any lak · our lif to reproue.But for y, ludus, of ȝoure lif · swich a los hurde,Þat we discorden of dede · don ȝou to knowe224 Þe best lorus of lif · & lawus of wise,Tell me your customs. And we ȝou praien, sire prince · prestly me sendeAlle þe lorus of your lif · in lettres a-seled;And y bi-hote ȝou her · vnharmed to leue.228 For more may hit, in cas · ȝou menske þan greue;It cannot harm. Whan may hit greuen a man · þat mich good knowiþ

any one to impart knowledge. To carpe of his konninge · & kenne hit til oþureFor þe wers is no weih · wis ȝif he seme,233 Þouȝ he finde oþur folk · folewen hi dedus.Take the case of a torch;
Its light is not lessened, though it lights others." Of a torche þat is tend · tak an en-sample;Þat þouy ludus of þe lem · lihtede an hundred,Hit scholde nouht lesen his liht · no þe latur brenne,236 While þe weke & þe waxe^[15] · vn-wasteþ lasteþ.& so it farus bi folk^[16] · þat fain is to teche;Hit wasteþ no wisdam · weihes to lere. For-þi busiliche, burn · we bidde þe nouþe240Wiþ-oute tariginge of time · tiþinge sende.To witen of þe wisdam · þat ȝe wiþ faren."Whan dereworþe dindimus · þe enditinge hurde244Dindimus reads the letter, Of alixandre askinge · as he write hadde,Oþir lettrus he let · of hur lif write,and sends an answer. & agyn to þe gome · goodliche he sente.As cof as hit come was · þere þe king dwelde,248In þis manere dide þe man · þe massage arede.

How king dindimus sente lettrus to king alixandre.[A picture. II.]

[Fol. 210, back] Þe dere king dindimus · þe doctour of wise,Þat lord of bragmanus lond · alosed is þare,"King Dindiums to Alexander, greeting. "To emperour alixandrre · egrest of princis,252Þat is grimmest igrowe · and grettest of kingus,Sendeþ letteres of lowe · & to þe lud writesMiche gretiþinge of grace · & grauntinge of ioie.— Bi þi message, man · þat þou to me sentest256When we sisihen þi sonde · wiþ þi sel prented,We ave discerned your desire. We kendenþi couaitise · & þat þou king, wilnestÞe rihte-wisnesse wite · þat to a weih longus.In þat alowe i þe, lud · þat þe lef were260Þe best lawe to lere · & lorus of witte;For riht wisdam is worþ · al þe world riche.

No emperor can dispense with wisdom. For non emperour on erþe · þat euere was founde,Þat wantede wisdam · his wihes to gye,264Mihte lordschipe lache · of oþur low peple;But þe loweste þat liuede · his lord mihte woþe,And wiþ him fare as a fol · þat failede his wittus.Yet, I warn you, Neþeles, sire noble king · y þe now warne,268To oure painede peple · in-possible hit semeþ,you cannot endure our customs. Þat ȝe oure manerus mihte · mekliche endure,Or in þe lif þat we liue · laste any while.For oure lif & our law · unlich is to ȝoure,272And al luþur bi-leue · we loþen in herte.Al þe dedes þat ȝe don · discorden til oure;For we ne grete noht þe godus · þat ȝe gode holden.As to your request, Of þat þou senteste, sire king · to say þe tru[t]he276 Of al þe lore of our lif · wiþ-oute long dwelle,pray excuse us. Haþel, for þin hendschipe · haue vs exkused,For we ne konne þe nouht kenne · our costomus alle.279 Þouȝh .i. lud of our lif · lettrus þe sende,Prince, hit profiteþ nouht · to preche of our dedus;Ȝe ne haue no tome no time · to tende my sawus,For ȝe so busiliche ben wiþ^[17] · aboute þe werre.But say þou nouht, sire king · for sake of enuie,

284Yet think not I grudge telling you. Þat me were loþ of our lif · ludus to teche;For as michel as y may · in minde bi-þenke,Bi þis a-selede sonde · soþliche i telle.We are poor Brahmans. We, bredde breþurne in god · bragmanus pore,288Leden clanliche our lif · & libben as simple.We ne wilne in þis world · to welde^[18] no more,We live a simple life,
in all povety. Bute was we simpleliche our lif · sostaine ,pwe.291We ben to penance iput · & pouerte drien;We holde hit nedful to nime · þat nouht may be wastid.Hit is no leue in oure lawe · þat we land erieWe plough not. Wiþ no scharpede schar · to schape þe forwes;We sow not. Ne sette solow on þe feld^[19] · ne sowe none erþe,296In ony place of þe plowe · to plokke wiþ oxen;Ne in no side of þe se · to saile wiþ nettus,We fish not Of þe finnede fihcs · our fode to lacche.We hunt not For to hauke ne hunte · haue we no leue,300Ne foure-fotede best · ferke to kille;Ne to faren in þe feld · & fonde wiþ slyhþeFor to refe þe brod · of briddus of heuene.303& whan we faren to fed · we finde no faute,We han so michel at þe mel · þat we no more wilne.Oþir goodis to gete · giue we no tente,We desire no dainties Ne oþir dainteys dere · desire we none,Þan oure modur of mete · may vs^[20] forþ bringe,308Þat we kennen for kinde · & callen þe erþe.The earth sustains us. Sche vs norscheþ at nede · & i-now sendeþ,Wiþ-oute swer oþur swink · swich as we hauen.Hit ne is no leue in our land · þat ludus þer-inne 312We never eat too much/ Scholde more of hure mete · þan mesure take;For-þi^[21] sounde we be seie · & sike in no time,and are always in health. Bute helþe haue we hir · til we henne passe.To godus pay is our peple · in bettur point founde,316Him to louen as hur lord · & like him to serue,Þan fale oþir folk ben · þat fillen hure wombe,& nimen more þan i-now · whan no ned were.We make no medicine, nor need any. We maken no medisine · no no man prayen320Wiþ ony haþelene help · to helyn oure bodius.We han a sertaine somme · a-singned of ȝerus,Whan we schulle lese þis lif · & laste no more;For we mowe tellen our time · whan þe time fallus.324For litil lengure a lud · liueþ þan an oþir;But bi cominnge^[22] of kynde · as heuene king demus,We schal doute þe deþ · whan þe day fallus;Bi an ordre of oure kinde · whan we holde waxen,328We grow old and then die and got to heaven. Whan mihte lakken our limus · & lesen our hete,We schulle for-leten oure lif · & leue þat þe souleTo him þat schop vs to schap · schal fare to blisse.For no cold þat vs comeþ · in our kinde age,332We use no fire. We ne faren to no fir · our fingrus to warme;Of bodi hole we ben · & no bale fele.We flee lusts. Ay we founden to fle · flechliche lustus;We maken þorou mekenesse · alle manir þingus336Þat mihte us soile wiþ sinne · sese in a while.I rede þe,^[23] riche emperour · ful raþe þat þou foundeTo ouyr-comen enemis · þat arn þe^[24] wiþ-inne;

For haddest þou fenked þe fon · þat in þi^[25] flech dwellen,340None mihte þe nnow · nye wiþ-oute.Thou fightest against outward foes, But þou fihtest wiþ þi fon · þat faren þe biside,& hem þat in þi^[26] bodi ben · ay berest wiþ þe.343 But if we ony enimis · wiþ-inne vs aspie,we slay the foes within us. We nolle sclepe in no scloweþe · til we hem sclain haue;Þer-for we al ouurcomen · þat arn vs wiþ-inne,We ne haue fere of no fon · þat faren wiþ-oute,Ne we agayn hem to^[27] · nol no gome procre,348Ne of no haþel vndur heuene · any help seche;We fear no one, and desire to conquer none. We ne doute none douhtie · ne no dede sterne,Ne we no wilne no win · of watur no of londe.Wiþ trene bowus we ben · on þe body keuered,352 We eat fruit and drink milk & vs findeþ þe frut · fode at oure nede.Of mylk haue we miche whon · amongus our peple,Þat we no wante no wite · of wordliche fode.

How dindimus enditid to alixandre of here leuy[n]g.[A picture. III.]

We drink of the river 'Thabeus.' Whan we ludus in þis land · liste to drinke,356We turnen tid to flod · thabeus is called.Þer-of we taken a tast · what time þat is nedeþ,And herie þe heie god · with tounge.What so we worchen in þis worlde · or waken or slepe,360Or in erþeliche ese · eten oþur drinke,We do all for the sake of God. For his sake þat it sente · soþli we worchin,To sustaine his seruantis · as him-silf likus.We hopen haue þe lif · þat come schal her-aftur,

364& derely wiþ-oute deþ · dure schal euere.We bever indulge in tale-bearing Tale tende we non · þat turneþ to harme,But hit be preched for prow · & procred to goode.We no spende no speche · but whan we speke weele;368 We always speak We ne sain but soþ · & sesen by time.We no recche of no ricchesse · no renoun of landus,No catelus couaitise · comyþ at oure herte;For þat is soþliche a sinne · þat seggus haunteþ,372 & to miche mischef · many men bringeth.We loathe envy. Al we libben in loue · & loþen enuie,& hit paieþ our peple · in pouert to libbe.For we hit rekenen for riche · & redileche finden,376Þat hit foleweþ oure folk · til þei fare hennus.We forsake warfare. Ay are we in pes · and armus forsaken,& to no wikkede werk · woned we be fare.Þer nis no lawe in oure land · ludus to chaste,380 For we no dede no don · domus to þolie.We holden hit a vertu · at hom in oure lande,We show no mercy Amon þe men of our march · mercy vnknowe;For we ben meved to no man · mercy to gran[t]e.384We never do any sin for which we have to ask for mercy. We ne gilte noht god · no no gome here,Where-fore we mosten haue in minde · mercy to crye,Þat god scholde of oure gilt · for-giuen vs þe sinneOf ony wikkede werk · þat we wroute euyre.388We do not sacrifice to devils. Ne we for sake of our sinne · no sacrifice makenTo oure galfule^[28] god · wiþ gold nor wiþ siluer,As ȝe dulfully don · to deuelus of paine, To make hem glad of ȝoure gilt · & glose ȝou here!392We flee lusts. Alle leccheries lust · vs loþeth to founde,Or to bringe vs in brigge · fore to breke spouce;Or any mis-dede make · where-fore we miht afterBen y-punched in paine · & parte [fram] blisse.396We gainsay your guilty and your false gods & þus we gayn-saie ȝoure gilt · & ȝour godus false,As ȝe wolde far by ȝoure fon · þat ȝe fals knewe.We ben rihtful of red · & resoun alowen;For-þi^[29] ne se we no seg · sodainly deie;400For we ne liȝhte noht our lif · wiþ no luthur dede,Where-fore we scholde with schame · be schorted of daies.We dye no cloth. We don deie no cloþ · of diuerse heuys,403No in no worschipful^[30] wede · our wiuus a-tiren,Where-fore a lud mihte like · to louen hem þe bettere,Or þei fairere þan a-fore · [tp] folk^[31] miht seme;So to hihten hem her · we holden hit sinne,To maken hem comelokur corn · þan hur kynde askyþ.408 Our wvies never paint their faces, Þere-fore þe haten to be hiht · on hed or on faceWiþ ony wachinge of watur · or ony werk ellus,Of fonde wiþ fals craft · hure face to enoine,For to bliken of hur ble · þe bliþure of chere,412 Or hem schenure to schene · þan þei schape werenor try to look better than they are by nature. Of him þat lente hem hur lif · & hure limus made.For þey þat crauen by craft · comelokur semeÞan þei ben kindeli soren · as heuene king likus,416God scholde þat him schop · schine by rihteFor his children hem to chese · þat changede his schappus.For be he burn oþur burde · þat hure bodi hihten Oþir-wise þan it was · in þis word schape,420Þey gayn-sain hure sauiour · þat hem so made,& ben aschamed of his schap · & schewen jem ellis.Þou douhty doutede king · we don þe to knowe,We never use a bath Þat oure bodies ne ben · in no baþ wahche.424We han while we here ben · hete of þe sonne,& vs by-dewen aday · þe dewus of heuene.All are equal among us We ben busy of no swink · nor no burn makenFor to wirchen our wil · & wordliche serue.Vs no likeþ of no lud · lordschipe haue;Non is sternere of stat · ne stouter þan oþir.Sin we ben bteþeren of brod · brouht into þis worde,Alle coruen of a king · þat kid is in blisse,432Whi scholde any schalk · þat god schop on erþeHaue maistrie of men · more þan an-oþir?We have no houses but caves. We ne han none hous bote holus · in þe holou cauus,Vndur hillus ful hie · to holden us inne;Þere comeþ no wawe of þe wind · no watur of þe rainus.Hie boldus^[32] to bulde · be we not snelle;To legge lym oþur ston · loþ is us alle;We use no tools. Vs ne likeþ no lome · in oure land vse, 440 As oþir erþliche men · owen aboute.We lin, whan us sclepe list · lowe vndur erþe,Al wiþ-oute any swink · of ert[h]liche werus;Our caves keep off the weather. Swich housinge we han · to holde out þe wedures444 & leden þerinne our lif · þe lengþe of our daiesWhen god likeþ from lif · lede vs to blisse,We liggen doun in our den · þere we ded worþen.Þanne is vs g[r]ayþed no graue · in þe grounde doluen, 448we lie where we lay. But þere lin as we laie · whan we lif hadde.Wiþ us schineþ euery schalk · in schippus for to saile,We do not go to sea. For to wine on þe watur · wordliche fode.For þe þat sailen on þe see · as we soþ knowen,452 In gret peril ben iput · & perichen ful ofte.We do not cultivate learning. We ben lered in oure land · lore of no scole,Ne to no sience i-set · vs silue to wisse,Þat mihte vs kenne in þis kiþ · to carpen as wise,456But þat comeþ us by kinde · we konne noht ellus.We ne faren to no philozofrus · to fonden hure lorus;For ay longeþ þat lore · to lesinge & iangle.Alle oure sawus ben simple · þat we soþ tellen,460We never lie. & for to lie is us loþ · or luþurly wirche;But swiche wordus of wise · we wilnen to lere,Þere nis no iargoun no iangle · ne iuggeme[n]tis falce.Vs ne schewiþ no schalk · schamfule tacchus,464We dislike play and mirth. Wjere-wiþ we mihte mis-do · or ony man gile.We ne louen in our land · no laik nor no mirthe;But whanne we meuen our mynde · mirþe to hereWe only read romances. We raiken to oure romauncus · & reden þe storrius,468 þat oure elderne on erþe · or þis time wroute.When the tale is a merry one, & ehn we tenden any tale · þat turne · to bourdeÞat were game for a gome · or good of to lauȝe,471 we are sad. We sesen of solas · & sorwen in herte;& maken mourninge of mirthe · whan men scholde glade.Of oþur wondrus we witen · in þis word here,Þat likeþ^[33] us to loken on · on þe loft heie;We sen selkouþe þing · þat is ta sain, heuene, 476Þere as lem is of loft · & lisse to gode;We observe the sun and the seven stars, Þe sonne set in his cours · & þe seue sterres,And alle þat seggeus mowe sen · siþen on þe skiuus,Þat to hure schappere hem schewen · schining rede,480& siþen liht fro þe loft · to þe land caste.Þe side se we mow sen · set vp-on erþe,Þat in kinde colour · a-cordeþ to purpre;But whan þe watur wiþ þe wind · þe wawus vp casteþ,484& þouh hit turne any time · to tempest of winduswhich has no waves. Hit ne a wecheþ no wawe · nor no watur rereth,As hit amongus ȝou men · is many tiime founde488 Þat stiue stormus of þe wind haþ · his hugeste blastus,Þe clere watur he bi-clipth · & closeþ hit inne.Þer-inne soþli we sen · selcouþe kindusOf þe fletinge fihs · þat in þe fom lepen.492We see therein dolphins and other fish. Þere maken dolfinus dine · & diuerce fihches,Þat þere swimmen ful swiþe · & swangen aboute.We han mirthe ful miche · in medus & feldus, Þere faire placus & plain · han plente of flourus,496We can feed on the scent of flowers Þat sote sauouron til us; · & wiþ þe siht cleneWe ben as fulsom i-founde · as þouȝ we fed were.Vs is likful and lef · in landus to walke,Þere won walloþ of watur · in þe well-springus.500 We love the woods, Miche wilne we wende · in þe wodus thikke,For to rom vndur ris · þat rig is of leuus;Þere we mowe graspen on þe grene · & gret ioie hereand the songs of the birds. Of brem briddene song · [in] þe braunchus a-lofte.504Þis is oure costom of kinde · þat we kyþen alle,& deliten in no dede · þat doþ men to sinne.These are our customs. Sire emperour alixandre · þis arn oure lawes, Boþe oure reule & our riht · þat we þe rede holde.508Ȝif þou our lif wole alowe · & oure lawe vse,Hit schal þe profite, prince · whan þi^[34] pres faileþ.Hit is noht long in^[35] us, lud · þei hit loþ seme,For y haue sent þe my sonde · as þou þei-self bade.512Be not angry But be þou nouht, bolde king · balful no tened,Þat þou miht trystli trye · þe treweste lawe.For we schulle minnge þe, man · swiche maner lorus.Þat þou miht lihtliche, lud · þe beste lawe kenne.516Whan þou hit wisliche wost · wilne hit in herte,Men thy life. & lowe þi lordschipe · & þi lif mende.Asie & aufrik · & europ þe greteÞou has lowed to þe, lud · in a litil while.520Thou prevented the sun from shining by thine armies. Þe lem of þe sonne-liht · þou lettest to schine,So brem bringest þou þi men · alle in bryht armus;& þe guldene ger · þat þi gomus vsenWiþ þe blasinge ble · blenden þe sonne.524Þou hast robbed wiþ þi rout · ij. riche strondus,Thou last robbed two streams of gold. Þere þe grauel of þe ground · was of gold ore.Þat on was called erenus · & þat oþur largeÞe peple callede paccolus · þat þou pore madest;528So fale folewen þe folk · to fonde þi heste,Thine armies drink up the Nile. Þat with hure drinkinke drawht · whan þei drie þirsten,Ȝe maken stinte of his strem · a stronde ful huge,531Þat nilus þe noble flod · namned is wide.So miche holdest þou þe, man · of miht & of strenke,Þat þou might ouur oxian · wiþ þin ost saile.So wis wenst þou þe be · þat þou by wit mihtest Thou market
Cerberus to sleep. Þorou þi maistrie miche · maken to sclepe536 Tricerberus þe helle-hound · þat holden is keneBoþe wakrong & wikke · & wardain of paine.Ye never fast Ȝe no fonde no fast · but fillen ȝoure wombis, Eten euere whan ȝe list · & in ese libben.540 Ye sacrifice your children. Vn-kinde kiþe ȝe ȝou · to kille ȝour children,To queme quedfulle godus · þat quenchen ȝour blisse;& to ȝoure souorain of sinne · sacrifice makenWiþ þat vnblisful blod · þat þei bled hauen.544 Ye make war ever. Miche maugre ȝe maken · among many kingus,& gret werre in þis world · to waste þe peple.Many men vp-on molde · ful mek & ful simpleÞorou þe prouede prince · fu; prouede ben woxe.548Ye cannot have enough. Ȝe wene winne noht i-now · on þis worde one,But ȝif ȝe heuene miht haue · & holden hit alse.Your gods used to work all evil. Michel gilte ȝe, gome · bi ȝour godus falce,As þei were woned in þis word · to wirchen in hure liue.552 For ensample, bi my sawe · soþ mow ȝe fongeOf iubiter þe ioilese · iugged to paine.Jupter was lecherous. He was alosed in his lif · lechourus of kinde,Þat in his licamus list · as a lie brente.556 He hadde, while he here was · to hordom i-egedGret won in þis word · of wommen aliue.For-þi^[36] ȝe holde him a god · þat in helle lengus,& þat sorwful sinne · for his sake vsen.560Propserine was equally wicked. Y prove hit by proserpine · þat ȝe praisen alle,& holden godesse god · to gien ȝou here;Hure was lecherie luf· þe while hue liuede alse,

& many lud by hure lay · hur lust to ful-fille.564Many men vp-on molde · made hue^[37] by alitheTo haunte hure in hordom · hur hole lif-time.Ye imitate her Of hure tenful tach · ȝe taken ensample,& ay wilnen hire wone · in werkus to fonde!

How he spareþ not alixandre, to telle him of his gouerance.[ A picture IV.]

568Ye are all unjust. Alle ȝe vsen vnrith · and aftur þat wirchen;Ȝe ben luþur of ȝour lif · & lawus ȝe chaunge.Of more make ȝe auaunt · þan ȝe mow forþen;Ye esteem flatterers. Wis holde ȝe no whi · but ȝif he wel conne572Faire tempren his tounge · his tale to schew.Miche matere of wit · minegeþ ȝour tounge;But beture holde y a burn · þat bereþ him al stilleȜe geduren ȝou gret won · of gol & of siluer,576Ye like to have many servants & miche likus ȝou lache · lordliche holdeus,& siþen many seruantis · ȝou-silue to abowe,To be ketture y-kid · þan any kouþ peple.& ȝit y liue þat ȝe liue · þorou lasse fode580Þan oþur seggus þat semen · simple [in] mirthe.Of richesse & of renoun · romme be ȝe kidde,& ben baldere y-wist · þan any burn elles;But oure kinde konninge · ȝou ouure-comeþ nouþe584We surpass you in all things. In alle dedus þat ȝe don · in ȝoure daies time.We witen, weies, ful wel · þat ȝe were alle

Bremliche y-brouht forþ · & bred of þat modurYe are bu earth-born Þat is stable to stonde · & stonus engendreþ,588And þe erþe is called · þat euery man helpeþ.Whan god demeþ ȝou deie · ȝour daies to tine,Ye build fine tombs. Grauus of gret prys · ȝe grayþe ȝou tille—& but hit fair be & fin · folie ȝe holden—592To legge in your licam · þat lodlich^[38] is founde.& so ȝour bodies ȝe buren · þat bettur riht haddeIn rouh erþe to be reke · to roten hure bonus.And by þe dedeus that men don · to þe dede bodies,596Ludus keneþ hue hem louen · to hure liuus ende.We, for love of God, We, for loue of þe lord · þat we leuen inne,kill no beasts, None bestus i-boren · balfullu kille,Ne no tidi a-tir · in templus a-araie,600nor carve idols. No figure of fin gold · fourme þer-inne,Wher-fore þe heie heuene god · heren us scholde,Whan any burn to him bad · [h]is bone graunte.^[39]But ȝe,^[40] folliche folk · ȝour fals godus alle604Ye worship your gods, Wil-fully worschipen · wiþ wordliche godus,For þei scholde hasteli ȝou here · & ȝou help kiþe,Whan ȝe greden ȝour grace · to graunte ȝour wille,and sacrifice to devils Whan ȝe for sake of ȝoure sinne · sacrifice maken,608& quellen any quik best · to queme þe deuelus.Ȝe ne vndurstonde nouht þat stounde · þe storie of þis wordusGod hears not man because of sacrifices. Þat god hereþ no gome · but for his goode dedus,& for no bestene blod · þat any burn quelleþ612Noþin of kide, noþur of calf · noþur of kild oxe. But he hereþ euery haþel þat hertely biddeþ,& wiþ mekenesse of minde · minegeþ his nede.Godus worþliche^[41] word · as we wel trowen,616God's Word is the Son of Man. Is sone soþliche of man · þat in him-silf dwelleþ,By which molde is y-maad · & man vp-on erþe,& al þat weihes in þis word · scholde wiþ fare;Al bestus þer-by · þat lif bere mowe,620All are sustained by Him. Ben soþliche i-sustained · as him-slif likus;Þat ilke worþliche word · we worschipen alle,& hit lelliche louen · as our lif likus.God is a Spirit. God is spedful in speche · & a spryt clene,624Boþe blessed & blyþe · þat blendeþ alle sorwe.He clameþ nought but clennesse · & clepeþ to [h]is ioieClene-minded men · þat meke ben founde.Ye are all fools, Where-fore we holde ȝou folk · folus echone,628Þat ȝe ne leuen in þat lord · þat lengeþ in blisse,& lede clanly ȝour lif · & no luþur wirche,As ȝe haþ of us herd · holly þe dedus.and live in lust. But ȝe in lechoures lust · al ȝour lif spende,632And serue sory idolus · þat ȝou in sinne brynge.Wiþ oþur folies fale · ȝe foulen ȝour soulen;After death ye will suffer pain & so ȝe duren in ȝour dede · til ȝe ded worþeþ.Þanne schulle ȝe^[42] for ȝour sinne · soffre paine.636For ȝe^[43] unclene bi cleped · & cleuen in ȝour sinne.Þere may ȝow borewen of bale · no bost no no pride,No no god þat ȝe giuen · to ȝour godus falce,No sacrifice of beasts will help ypu No no sory sacrifice · þat ȝe so maken640Wiþ any bestene blod · þat euire burn schadde. Ȝe ne herien nouht herteli · þe heie god alone,Þat heuene holdeþ & haþ · to hus hole regne,Ye have as many false gods as a man has limbs. But al so fale falce godus · ȝe fonden to queme644As a burn bereþ now · in his body membrys.For ȝe liknen a lud · to a litil wordle,& this sawe ȝe sain · soþliche echone,Þat many as a man · haþ membrys y-schape,648Him falleþ al so fale godus · faiþfuly herie;& so ȝe sacrifice don · to selkouþe fendus!Every limb is dedicated to some god. For euery lime þat a lud · longeþ to haue,Ȝe kyþen carefule · godus · & kallen hem nowþe,652Aftur dedeus þat þei dede · diuerse names.Michel holde ȝe of miht · minuera þe falce,For hue^[44] foundede first · folies manye;Minerva sprang out of Jupiter's head, & þis is seggus ȝour sawe · as ȝe sain alle.Hue was engendred wiþ gin · of iubiterus hede;660For—þi^[45] ȝe holden hure wis · & hollyche segge,Þat hue þe hilþe of þe heed · haþ for to kepe. Þe iaudewin iubiter · ioiful ȝe holde;Jupiter was wrathful,
and gaurds the seat of wrath, the heart For he was wraþful i-wrouht · & wried in angur,Gomus holden him god · þat gieþ þe herte;For þere ariseþ in a rink · þe rotus of wraþþe.A god mihtful of main · martis ȝe holden;664For he was fihtere fel · & foundur of werre,Mars is lord of the 'breast'. He is alosed in lande · lord of þe breste;For þere þe miht of a man · most is i-sene.Mecury is god of the tongue; For mercurie miche spak · to mentaine iangle,Ȝe holden him galful & god · & god of þe tounge.Hercules, with his dozen of wonders For hercules þe endelese · þat euere is in paine, Diuisede here on his day · a dosain of wondrus,

Þat ȝe a-uowen verraie · & vertuus holden,672Þat a man moste do · wiþ mihte of his armus,A god holde ȝe him · helplich of grace,presides over the arms. Þat haþ ȝour armus to ȝeme · & may ȝou ȝiue strenke.Bacchus the drunkard, For bacus þe bollere · þat ȝe abowen alle,676Englaymed was in glotenye · & glad to be drounke,over the throat Ȝe callen him kepere of þe þrote · & kinde god holden,[Fol. 213] & wis witiere of win · þat alle won bryngus.Of Cupid, ye say Cupidus þe corsede · þat is in care punched,680Ȝe worchen al worschipe · & in þis wise tellen—

How he telleþ alixandre of his maumentrie.[A picture. V.]

that he loved lechery, Þat, for he leccherie louede · in his lif-time,And þat folie fur · foundede on erþe,A bryht btenninge brond · he bereþ on his hondis,684And alle lechurus lust · of þe lem tendeþ.And so ȝe sain þat he is · a soþ god iproued,and presides over the stomach Þat haþ þe stomak in stat · stifly to kepe;For þere þe hete þat men han · is holden wiþ-inne,688 Þat enforceþ þe flech · folie to wirche!Ceres, over the womb. Also, seggus, ȝe sain · þat ceres þe falceIs a goodesse god · & gieþ þe wombe;For hue tilede in hur time · on þe touh erþe,692& whete soþliche sew · or any seggus ellus.Venus, over the priory members. Ful verrai of vertue · venus ȝe holden;& for hue lady was alosed · of leccherous dedeus,Ȝe holden hure a goodesse god · þat haþ for to kepeÞe preuey^[46] membrus of a man · þat marke is of kingus.697Iuno þe ioilese · ȝe iuggen for noble;

foretell things to come. & wei-huus sain þat he witeþ · in his worde one,A spild spirit of þe air · þat may speke wondrus,700& telle what bi-tide schal · of tene oþur of welþe.Apollo, who practiised medicine and minstrelsy, is god of hands. Ȝe leuen alle in appolin · & also ȝe tellenÞat, for he medisine made · & minstralus craftus,Ȝe holde hin giour ful good · & god of þe handus.704 Se þer leueþ no lime · lasse no more,Þat in ȝour power is put · but parted to fendus.Ȝe ne leuen not on a lord · that lengus in heuene,Þat al þe membrus of a man · made at his wille.708 Your false gods only grieve you. And þouȝ ȝe falce godus folk · founden to serue,Þei ne graunte no grace · but greuen ȝou ofte,& taken of ȝou tribit · þat traie is to paie,Of ȝoure offringus alle · ofte in þe ȝere.712 To Mars, ye offer a boar; To martis þe mihtelese · men ofren in timeA gret bor & a bold · as burnus han vsed. To Bacchus, a kid; To bacus þe balful · men bringen in templeA kide, as is costum · of comine peple.716To Juno a peacock; A fair pokok of pris · men paien to iuno,& him wirchen þer-wiþ · worschipe vn erþe.To Apollo, a white swan; Þe offrin of appolin · as ȝe alle knowe,Ys a swan swiþe whit · swich as ȝe bryngen.720 To Venu, a dove; Ȝe schullen bi ordre of vse^[47] · offren to venus,^[48]A ful derworþe douue · on his den take.To Minerva, a bat; Minerua men worschipen · in oþur maner alse, & bringen hure a niht-brid · a bakke or an oule.724To Ceres, Corn; To ceres þe sorwful · ȝe sacrifice maken,& carien bi costum · corn to hure temple.Ȝe mensken alle mercurie^[49] · wiþ mirthe & wiþ ioie,& him a chalis ful chois · wiþ good chere bringen. 728Ye put boughs on Hercules' altar; Þe hauter of he[r]cules · alle ȝe hihten,& hit spreden wiþ spraiuus · of springinge braunchus.and flowers on Cupid's Cupies þe corsed · wiþ comeliche flourusȜe herien ful hertely · & hihten [h]is temple.733Þus manye mihteles godus · & mo þan y telle,For þe hope of hur help · ȝe herien on erþe.Ye cannot serve them all at once. & ȝit may þer no man · in any maner wiseWiþ solepne sacrifice · serue hem at onus,736 But eueri wile of a wehy · his owene wone haue,Be it bole oþur bor · betur oþur werse.Of swiche bestus þat ben · of burnus y of reed,739Þei han miht vp-on molde · & of no mo þingys.Why do ye belive in false gods? Whi fauuree ȝe þanne falce godus · & folliche seggenÞat þei ne han miht of no mor · nor no maistrie on erþe,But of hur owne offringe · & onliche of bestes?744For youe sins, For ȝour errours on erþe · sire emperour riche,& for þe dedus vn-dingnge · þat ȝe don alle,As ȝe ben worþi^[50] of wo · whan þe word failus,ye shalle be punished Ȝe schulle be punched & put · in paine for euere!748Ȝour godus ful of gile ben · þat ȝe so good holden,On hem is help of non harm · no hap of no grace,Your gods are butchers. But bochours ben þei echon · ȝour body to dismembre,& euerich pinchen his part · þere paine is vnended.As many mihtelese godus · as ȝe on molde seruen.[Fol. 213,back] As fale painus in fir · ȝou fallus to drie.Your idols make you sin. For ȝour ydil idolus · don ȝou wille wirche;755 Summe to lechorus lust · ȝour likinge turneþ,Summe ȝou strenkþen to striue · & straiten ȝour minde,& somme eggen in ese · to eten & to drinke.Þei by-sette ȝou so · in sinne & in gile, Ye work their will. Þat ȝe wirchen hur wil · & worchipen alle.760&, seggus for ȝe so don · ȝe semen vn-wise,Ye serve them by sin. Hem to seruen in sinne · þat mowe no seg helpe.Þei beþ vn-mihtful y-mad · men for to wisse,And kun nat saue hem-self · fro sorwful painus.764 When ȝe hem greden of griþ · to graunte ȝour bone,Wheþur hey hit heren of nouht · to harme hit ȝou turnus.When ye prey,
they harm you Whan ȝe hem praiere profre · ȝif þey prest heren,Þei casten in ȝoure conscience · corsede þouhtous.768And, ludus, ȝif hem loþ be · to listne ȝoure bonus,Hit ȝou norcheþ any · for þei ȝou nouht heren.Whether they hear you or not, ye suffer So wheþur þei graunte hit or gruche · þei greuen ȝou ofte,For eueri time hit ȝou turneþ · to tene & to harme.772 Þo ben ȝoure gostliche godous · þat gon to do wrecheAfter ludene lif · for hure luþur werkus.For þei schulle in þis word · wirche for sinne,Whan þat burnus ar bured · þat balfully wrouthe776Your elders spake of torment to come. Tokne of þat turment · tolde ȝoure eldren,How wreche scholde ben wrouht · for wrongful dedes,& dul aftur þe deþ · ȝour doctourus saide,Þat seggus scholde for sinne · suffre in þis worde;780& ȝe ben soþlie þe same · of wham þei so tolde,Ye shall dwell in
endless torment Þat scholde lenge aftur lif · in lastinge paine.For ȝif ȝe seggus ȝou[r] lif ·soþli bi-þenke,Wers wirchen no folk · þan ȝe weiȝes alle.For sake of ȝoure sauyour · ȝe ne soffre no paine,But liuen in ȝoure likinge · & luþurli wirchen; Ȝe waken for wikkednesse · & wirchen but ille.ye commit murder Ȝe speden for to spille men · & spouce-breche fonden;788adultery, Ȝour is lechurie luf · & liben wiþ stalþe.and theft. To robbe men of hure riht · ful redy ben alle.Ȝe ben glotounius gle · glad for to haunte,& han no mesure on molde · of mete ne of drynke.792ȜE ben to þe helle-hond · holliche i-like,Ye are like Cerberus. Tri-cerberus þe tenful · of wham i tolde haue;Foure hedus ben on him · þat haþ but on wombe.& so it fareþ by ȝou folk · þat fillen ȝou siluen;796For alle þe godus þat ȝe geten · of gomus vp-on erþeSeruen for to sustaine · ȝour vnsely wombe.There is an adder in hall called Hydra, Also ȝoure docturus sain · in sawus ful olde,Þat an addre is in helle · þat yydra is called,800 To cache is couaitous · corsede soulus;never glutted. & fonde he fewe oþur fale · fule is he neuere.Ye are like him. Þanne mow ȝe ludus of lif · be likned him tille;For ȝe ben couaitouse kid · & kunne nouht blinne,804But euere wenden to winne · wordliche godus,& al is burnus aboute · ȝoure body for to fede.Alle þe foliuus, folk · þat ȝe fain^[51] wirchen,Ben purchas of penance · whan ȝe parte hennus.808 To bale were ye þanne^[52] bore · for bannede werkus,Ye were born to morrow." Þat schullen schamly be schent · & schapen to paine.Þus dindimus þe dere king · enditeþ his sonde,& god by-secheþ to saue · þe soueraine prinse."—812When Alexander heard this, Whan emperour alixandre · wiþ erene hit hirde,& tendede þe tiþinge · þat y told haue,he was wroth. He was wroþ, for þe writ · of wrong gan a-loseHis godus þat he held · to gyen þe peple.

816Beign annoyed he sends a letter back. But nouþeles anon riht · anied in his herte,Sone sente he again · his sel & his letterus.Wiþ-oute tariynge tid · þis tiþingus comeTod dindimus þe dere king · þat þe dite radde.Hear it! Now liþus, ȝe þat listene wele · þe lettrus to þe ende,821For þus redely þe rink · a-radde þe sonde.

How alixandre sente answere to dindimus by letter.[A picture. VI.]

"Alexander, "Þe aþel king alixandre · of armus alosed,Þat noble is & name-kouþ · & neuere man dradde,824son of Ammon, Þat grete god amon · in graciouse timusBy-gat on olimpias · þe onorable quene,to Dindimus, greeting Ful derely to dindimus · enditeþ his sonde,827& his sawe to the seg · saiþ in þis wise.—If all is ture, ye are very good men. Ȝif alle þe lorus þat þou, lud · in lettrus me sentestBen trewe to be trowen on · & trysty to leue,Þanne by ye sykur^[53] to be saf · for sake of ȝoure werkus.For ȝe ben burnus of lif · best vp-on erþe,832[Fol. 214] Ȝif ȝe nouht wirche but wel · in þis word here;Hit comeþ ȝou bi custum · so clanly to libbe.WHy deem ye that we sin? Whi deme þanne þat we don · ne dede vp-on erþeBut sinne þat is sorwful · oure soule to spille?836Whi seye ȝe seggus also · þat sinne ȝe holdenAny werkus to wirche · of wordliche craftus?Why blame the works of man? Whi be ȝe, ludus, so lef · to lakke þe werkus

Þat man-kinde haþ y-mad · on molde to be vsed?840Ȝif hit be soþ þat ȝe sain · hit semeþ , by ȝoure dedes,Þat ȝe no giuen of no gome · no none godus trowe,Ye are envious. Or ȝe en[u]ye to hem han · & hatien hur sondus,For to libbe in ȝour land · as ludus aboute.844Many wondurful wonus · wisli we knowen,Þat ȝe amongus ȝou men · in ȝour march vsen.Ye say that ye plough not. Ȝe telle vs þat ȝe tende nauht · to tulye þe erþe,Ne place erie wiþ plow · no plaunte winus,848nor build. Ne bulde boldus an hih · for burnus to wonye,Ne non erthely note · nedfully wirchen.In þat þou leredest me, lud, þat ȝe no land erien,Ye have no iron. Ȝe ben exkused echon · for iren ȝou wantus,852Where-wiþ mihte ye men · maken any boldus,Or tren plaunten in place · or any plow dryue.Ye have no tools. Whan ȝe mow take no tol · to tilien on erþe,No swiche werkus to swinke · as oþur swainus vsen,856Ye must live hard. For-þii bi-houus ȝou, haþel · harde to libbe,& wo drie in þis word · for wante & for nede!So mowe ȝe · ludus, ȝour lif · leden as bestus,In gret mischef of mete · as ȝe mote nede.860A hungry wolf must eat the earth. Ȝe witen wel, whan a wolf · wanteþ [h]is fode,Þat he ne fundeþ no flech · to feden him vppe,Of þe erþe he et · for ellus he scholde863Be wiþ hungur y-holde · & happily sterue.Þanne mowe ȝe weies to þe wolf · ful wel ben y-likned;Ye have to do the same. Þat, for ȝe finde no fode · as oþur folk vsen,Swich hungur as ȝe han · by houus ȝou þolie, &, be ȝou lef oþur loþ · libben in wante.868Þere-fore no like no lud · of his luþur fare,No hope for his harde lif · to haue no mede.Ye do no alms. For almus-dede do ȝe non · as ȝe demen alle,871But skarsete & skaþe · vn-skilfully fonden.Our beasts would scorn your life! Ȝif we lengede in ȝoure land · ful loþ were our bestusTo ben so simple of vs silf · & suffre þat tene!We scholde folewe oþur folk · & fonden echoneTo a-corde of oure costom · wiþ comine peple;876But ȝe han dainte in dul · ȝoure daies to spene,& ben y-sustained so · wiþ sorwe in þis wode.Ye are not to be praised. But ȝe ben litil to a-lowe · of ȝoure luþur fare;For nouht but nisete · nedful you makus!880 Ȝoure owne folie, folk · doþ ȝou ful ofteIn hungur & in hard lif · to holde ȝoure people.Your wives use no gay apparel, Also ȝe sain in ȝour sonde · þat soþly ȝoure wiuusNe gon in go gay tyr · as gise of oþure,884and no man commits adultery & þat ludus in ȝoure land · no lechurie haunten,But sparen alle spouse-breche · þe space of hure liuus;& þou ȝe wonde swich werk · me wondrus ful lite!How can he, with such fare? How miht ȝe lechurie loue · or likinge haue,888Whan luþur fare haþ alaid · ȝour lustus echone,Þat ȝe megre ben maad · wiþ mischef & hungur?For ȝe so simple ben seie · & semen so pore,Ȝou wantus wordliche won · ȝour wiuus to hihte.892Ye are chaste perforce. Þere-fore as bestus ȝe ben · & of body chaste, Vn-mihty, for mischef · to medle wiþ burdusÞat nis no chariteuus chois · so schast for to libbe;Sin ȝe maugray ȝour miht · mote hit wiþ-drawe!896 Also ȝe sente vs to saie · in þe same timeOf oþur manerus mo · miche for to lakke;Ye never study; Þat ȝe no stidie in no stounde · ne no stat wilneOf clergie þat clene is · to claimen in scole;900 and neither expect nor shew mercy. & þat ȝe mercy on molde · in no maner wilne,No mercy don to no man · a-mongus ȝou founde.Þanne hi semeþ by ȝoure sawe · ȝif ȝe soþ tellen,Þat kindely ȝoure consience · a-cordeþ to bestus.904Ye are as beasts. For as bestes ȝe ben · by no skile reuled,Ne hem of kinde no comeþ · no konninge of witte;So be ȝe, ludus, by-lad · & lawe-les alse,Þat han no reward to riht · but red-lese wirchen.908 We are wise. But we faiþful folk · þat faren as wise,Ben y-demed to do · dedus of rihte.Forþy vs kenneþ our kinde · to a-corde in trowþe,In swiche lawus liue · þatt longen to gode;912We sow and plant. For to sowe & to sette · in þe sad erþe,& oþur wordliche werk · wisly to founde.Sin man-kinde is y-maad · so michel & so riue,915 Among so perles a peple · in-possible hit were—But somme were reuled by ryht · as resoun hit axeþ—Some men ought to work. Hem-self to sostaine · wiþ selkowþe þingus,For to liue by þe land · as ludus ben schapeTo haue welþe aftur wo · as þe word farus.920After work some pleasure. For tenen sum-time tid · & sumtime mirthe;& aftur swaginge of swinc^[54] · swiþe comeþ ioie. Seasons change. But so, weihuus, as ȝe witen · þat weduringe chaungeþ,Now broun & now briht · & now breme stormys,224[Fol. 214, back] So is þe wit & þe wil · of wordliche pepleIn selkouþe sesounus · seen^[55] for to chaunge.In fair weather,
men are merry Whan wedur waxeþ al bryht · þat wel is to like,227Mirie ben men of mod · in minde & in herte;but in dim days, sad. But whan þe daies dimme ben · hit doþ hem to mourne,For siht of þe sesoun · þat semus vnliþe.Ȝit chaungeþ wit of a weih · in oþur-wise alse,Man changes according to his age. Þorou þe grete de-gre · þat groweþ in age.932For when he is innocent · þat ille can lite,Þanne haþ he solas of him-silf · simple to worþe;In youth, he plays with a ball. For betur likede him to a bal · þan a borou riche;& he is hardy to non harm · but hauntus his gamus.936In riper years, he shows his valour. Whan he is eldure of age · þat auht is his strenke,Þanne wol he prouen his wil · & wikke to staunche.In old age, he is quiet. Whan he is fare so forþ · fer in his age,940Þan^[56] stoute is he, stedefast · & stille of his herte.Who would look for hardiness in an infant? Hwo wole a cherched child · chese for hardy,Or a ȝoung man meek · þat mirthe couaiteþ?Huo wolde wene þat a weih · woxen on elde944Were wist for vnstedefast · of word or of dede?Ye omit many joys, Manie mirþus on molde · þat oþur men vsen,Ȝe leuen þorou ȝour luþur wit · þat longen to peple.os sight, savour, Summe in siht þat we sen · & sauur of mouþe,948handling, bearing, Summe in handlinge of hond · & heringe of ere,and smiling. Summe þat longen to a lud · of likinge smellus,& queminge of quaintise · þat quencheþ our tene,

& in menskinge of mouþ · mirþe we hauen,952In tendere touchinge of þing · & tastinge of swete.We enjoy fruit. & sin we frekus ben so fre · þat we frut hauen,& al þat growus in þe ground · of graciouce þingus;We finde fihch in þe se · þat vs fedeþ alle;956 We lachen likinge y-now · of þe lof briddus;& ȝif ȝe wonde pf þat won · to winne ȝoure fode,Ȝe schulle be demed þat ȝe don · dispit to þo kindus.Ye dishnour the Creator. Þanne schewe ȝe to hur schappere · schame for his sondus.Þat so schinden his schap · þat e ȝou scheweþ here.961 Or ȝe han hertely hate · to oure hole peple,For we ben beture of our lif · & swich bote finden;Sin swiche godus as we sen · ben sen[t] to us alle,964& nouht so to^[57] ȝou now · nedful burnus.Your deeds are fully." Alle þe dedus þat ȝe don · y deme þat it turnusMore to folie þan to faiþ · of any ful witte."His sonde þat y said haue · sire alixandre riche968Let bringe wiþ his brode sel · to bragmanus prince,& raþe wahn hit rad was · ful redy wiþ oþurDindimus replies. To þis adoutede duk · dindimus sente.Whan hit was sent to þe seg · he dide hit sone red;972hear his reply! No how hit goodly by-gan · men, giuus tente!

How dindimus sendyd an answere to alixandre by letter.[A picture. VII.]

"Dindimus "Dindimus þe dere king · the docktour of wise,Þat lord of bragmanus land · & ledere is holde,

to Alexander greeting. To emperour alixandre · egrest of princes,Þat is grymmest y-growe · & grettest^[58] of princes,Ioie graiþus wiþ grace · & gretinge of mouþe,As to þe kiddeste y-core · þat corone weldus!979We do þe namkouþe king · to kenne & to here,We do not always live in this world. Þat in þis wastinge word · we ne wone nouht euere;For erþe is nouht our eritage · þat euere schal laste,Ne we ben nouht ibor · to abide þer-inne.But we ben pore pilegrimus · put in þis worde,984For we by destene of dome · schulle deþ þolie;Þanne schulle we hie to þe hous · þat hie is in blysse,& karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare,& karre to oure kinus nie · to kenne of oure fare.We are pilgrims on earth. We ben of-set wiþ no sinne · for vnsely godus,988Ne we sitte in no sete · þere sinne is y-hanteþ.But for oure kinde consience · þat kenneþ vs to goode,We wonde wikkede werk · & wende fro skaþe.We ne sain noukt, king, be þou sur · for sake of our pride,992It is not pride or envy that makes us such as we are. Þat we bolde godus ben · burnus to gie,No enuye to hem han · ne hate in þis worde.For we ne giue vs to no gilt · þat scholde god wraþe,Ne nouht nien him her · by niht no by day.996God mae men of many kinds. God, þat alle gomus schop · & alle gode þingus,Made here vp-on molde · many manere choisus;For maad mihte hit nouht be · þere men scholde dwelleWiþ-oute diuerce dedus · of many done þingus.1000He who avoids evil. But al þat badde is for a burn · here abouen erþe,Huo so haþ chaunce to echue · & chese þe betture—[Fol. 215] As men han wit for to wite · þe wikke & þe gode— He may nouht claime to be cleped · clene god of mihte, 1004is God's friend. But godus frend may þe freke · frely be called;For we leden wel our lif · & louen to be simple.Ye say we are as gods. In ȝoure sonde, sire king · ȝe saide þis wordus;—Þat we alle godus arn · as ȝe deme nouþe,1008Or euere elles til hem · enuye we haue.But þe same þat ȝe so · by vs silf troweLongeþ, ludus, to ȝou · þat liuen so in ese.But ye are so rather, For ȝe leden ȝoure lif · in lordschipe & in myrthe,1012Of noble kind for ȝe come · & kid ben of grete.being rich, and gaily clad. In clene cloþus ȝe gon · & claimen to be riche;Al ȝoure minde is on mirþe · & most vp-on goodus.Ȝoure fingrus of fin gold · ȝe fullen wiþ ryngus,1016As is wommenus wone · for wordliche glose.Your boastful deeds will make you proud. But, burnus, be ye ful sur · þo bostful dedeus,Where-fore ȝe holde ȝou her · hiest on erþe,1019Schal ȝou procre to pryde · & to no profit ellus,But skaþe for ȝoure vn-skile · whan ȝe skapen hennus.Gold feeds no one. Gold fedeþ no gome · ne no good soule;But we þat selkouþus sen · & soþus mow knowe,And kenne þe kinde of þe gold · þat corsed is founde,1024We faren alle to þe flod · þere we finde moweGret plente of fold · on þe ground ligge.We spurn it. Þanne we wollen of þe watur · wilfully drinke,& de-foule wiþ our fet · þe fine gold schene.1028For gold, þouh it gay be · hit gaynus ful liteOf hard hongur and þirst · to helpe any peple. A hungry man eats meat, not gold. Haue a man neuere so miche · mischef of houngur,He may hit staunche wiþ mete · & menden his paine.A thirsty man drinks water. Þouh þirst dreche him wiþ drouhþe · drink may him helpe,1033A litil wetinge of watur · his wo wol amende.Ȝif gold were to a gome · so goode of his kinde,Whan men hit helde in here hand · of hadde in here warde.1036So scholde it be to a burn · bote of his nede,His corsede couaytise · cofly to sese,The more gold a man has, the more he wants. But now, þe more þat a man · may þer-of winne,Þe more ȝernus he^[59] ȝit · to ȝeme at his wille;1040 & he is mensked þe mor · amongus ȝou alle,For wel louus euery lud · þat liche is him tille.Your gods cannot heal the dead. We sain þat ȝour sory godes · of wham ȝe so helpe,Mow no manyr ded þing · þorou hure miht hele.1044Ȝe tenden michil in ȝour time · templus to bulde,& riche auterus riue · rere þere-inne;Þanne founde ȝe ȝour falce godus · with sorw for to here,& quellen for to quemen hem · of ȝour quike bestus;1048Yet ye sacrifices to them. & in þat same sacrifice · ȝe seggen þe nameOf what burn þat hit be · þat wolde bone haue.Þin aldur-fadur, alixandre · al þis haþ vsed,& alle kydde of ȝour kin · kenden þis dedus,1052þis is amongus ȝou men · in þis manere knowe ;Ye err, ye know not how much. For þus ȝe erren echon · in erþliche werkus.How luþurly ȝe liuen her · litil ȝe knowen; 1056Þow ȝe wiþ sinne be of-set · suffre ȝe^[60] nolle,Þat we by-wepe in þis word · ȝour wikkede dedus!& miche, þinkeþ vs, a man · menskeþ anoþur,

1059Þat a gome for his gilt · goodly by-wepeþ.For ho so woneþ in þis word · & wol nouh[t] y-knoweHe who ignores death should be struck down by lightning, Þat him is demed to deie · & doom schal abide,Hit is riht þat þe rink · be reufully ended,& smite to þe smeþe ground · wiþ a smart poudur;1064as Saloneus was." As on sinful was weie · þat salonienus hiȝte,& euyl endid on erþe · and wrout ful foule.For þe lud on his lif · a-losed him so noble,Þat he heuene hadde miht · with handus to reche;1069For-þi^[61] boþe for hur bost · ben y-brend nouþe,Wiþ fir in þe fir-hil · to fendus by-tauhte.Þus mowe ȝe finden in fablus · of philozofrus olde,Þat spoken how þo spild men · spenden hur time."1072This was Dindimus' last letter Þus was þe lettere of þe lud · þat he last sente,& mascedonius mihty king · menskliche hit radde.Whan he þe sonde hadde seye · he sent forþ newe,Þat was to bragmanye brouht · & prest for to rede.1076Alxander thus replies. Þanne radde cofly þe king · þis karied sonde,Þat þus tiþinge tolde · & tauhte þis wordus:—

How alixandre sente dindimus anoþur letter.[A picture. VIII.]

"Alexander, "Þe emperour alixandre · of armus a-losed,Þat noble is & name-kouþ · & neuere man dradde,1080[Fol, 215, back] By godus chance þat ys chose · chef ouur kingus,& of burnus y-bore · baldest of mihte,sone of Ammon, to Dindimus Þat amon þe grete god · in graciose timusBy-gat on olimpas · þe onurable quene,1084By-kenneþ king dindimus · in kiþ þere he dwellus,His a-seled^[62] sonde · & saith in þis wise.—Ȝe sain, burnus, þat ȝe ben · best echone,

Þat in ȝoure loþ-liche land · libben by kynde.1088Ye are so set in an island,
that no strangers come to you. For so, seggus, ȝe ben · by-set in an yle,Þat þer may comen in ȝour kiþ · non vnkouþe peple;Ne ȝe ne mowe of þat march · in no manere wende,But, be you loþ oþur lef · lenge þer-inne.1092& for ȝe, weihuus, of þat won · wende no mowe,Wel a-lowe ȝe ȝoure lif · and ȝour land alse!Ye say ye suffer by choice Al þe nede & þe noy · þat ȝe now suffrenBy a-sent of ȝour-silf · ȝe sain þat ȝe dryen;1096& by þe sawe þat ȝe sente · to segge of ȝoure fare,Ye are like wrecthed prisoners. Ȝe arn liche of ȝour lif · to swiche loþe burnus,Þat ben in dep presoun don · al hure daies time,& han mirþus on molde · missed ful clene!1100 But lawe lereþ vs & skile · þat ȝe ben leþur alle,& mow for ȝoure mischef · no mede haue;It is natural to you to live in sorrow For it comeþ ȝou of kinde · in care to libbe.Sin ȝe wonen in þat won · þere wante is of goodus,1104Þanne, seggus, semeþ hit nouht · þat ȝe so wirchenFor sake of þe same god · þat sittus in blisse.Þere-for to wo þat is wers · wenden ȝe schulle,Ye shall suffer pain hereafter Whanne ȝe parten fro þis paine · þat pinncheþ ȝou here.1108Þanne be ȝe men vp-on molde · most to be-wepe,Þat here to schame ben schape · & ay schulle aftur.Ȝit wolen wikkede men · in þis word glade,Þouȝ þei ben damned to dul · whan hure day endus!1112Þo þat ludus in oure land · a-losed arn wiseȜe holde folus in faiþ · & falce of by-leue;Hit longeþ, ludus, til us · ȝour lif to by-wepe,

It is for us to mourn for you & to make for ȝoure mischef · mour[n]inge sichus.1116For wers faren no folk · founde vp-on erþe.Þan frekus þat no frut han · frely to libbe.God has decreed your pain hereafter. God þat iuge is of ioie · haþ iugged ȝou alleTo lenge aftur ȝour lif · in lastinge paine;1120and misery in the present life. & he haþ marked ȝou men · mischef on erþe,Þouh ȝe wene ȝou wise · & wittie of lorus!Þere-fore, seggus, as y saide · for sake of ȝour dedusMede mowe ȝe of god · in no manere fonge;1124Ȝe ben vn-blessed of lif · for, burnus, y warneYour deeds are but misery to you." Þat ȝe holden so her · holsome dedesGret wante is of wo · & wikkede paine,Þe whiche þe heie godus haten · & hure hole peple1228Now tende we to touche more · of þis tale aftur;Thus ends the letter. For of þis egre emperour · þus endeþ þe lettere.What þis makelese man · þat most was adouted,Þe romme riden alixandre · richest of kingus,Hadde le[n]gged þere longe · & lettrus þe whileEndited to dindimus · as him dere þoute,Alexander bids his men build a pillar of marble; Þere his burnus he bad · bulden of marbreA piler sadliche i-picht · or he passe wolde;& þat þei wrouhten a wrȝte · & writen þer-aboute:—"Hidur haue ich, alixandre · wiþ myn help fare"Whan graue was þe graie ston · þe grime king rydus,1139and departs them & alle meven his men · fro þe marke euene.How alixandre picht a pelyr of marbyl þere.[ A picture. IX.]

1. MS. hiddem, an error for hidden hem
2. MS. 'þei'
3. MS. 'saide'
4. MS. 'worschen'
5. MS. 'þat siȝt don'
6. MS. 'siee'
7. A word omitted; see l. 135.
8. MS. 'as'; see l. 117
9. MS. 'flok'
10. MS. cren
11. MS 'flok'
12. Ms 'tyinge'; see l. 240.
13. Sic; 'mi'?
14. Sic; 'sewe'?
15. MS. 'waxs'
16. MS. 'flok'
17. Sic; 'wis'?
18. MS. 'wolde'
19. MS. 'fled'
20. MS. 'vus'
21. MS. 'For-þei'
22. Ms. obscure; 'co—ge' with 8 downstrokes between o and g.
23. MS. 'þat þe,' where þat is superfluous.
24. MS. 'ȝe'
25. MS. 'þei'
26. MS. 'þei'
27. MS. 'do'
28. MS. 'galsule'; cf. l. 688.
29. MS. 'For-þei
30. MS. 'worchipful'
31. MS. 'tolk'
32. MS. 'holdus'; see l. 848.
33. MS. 'lileþ'
34. MS 'þei'
35. Sic. Read 'of'(?)
36. MS. 'Forþei'
37. MS. 'hure'
38. MS. 'bodilech'
39. MS. 'graunde'; see l. 764.
40. MS. 'so'
41. MS. 'wordliche'; see l. 621.
42. MS. 'sclulle we'
43. Ms. 'we'
44. MS. 'he'; see l. 656.
45. MS. 'For-þei'
46. MS. 'He proueþ'
47. MS. 'of on vs'
48. MS. 'to vectus'
49. MS. 'mereurie'
50. MS. 'worþei'
51. MS. 'sain'
52. MS. 'panne'
53. MS. 'sylur'
54. MS. 'swine'
55. Ms. 'fain'
56. MS. 'þat'
57. MS. 'do'
58. MS. 'greftest'
59. MS. 'be'
60. Ms. 'ne'
61. MS. 'For þei'
62. MS. 'a fledde' (!). See l. 286.