FROMTHEOLDFRENCHOFCHRETIENDETROYES
　　INTRODUCTION
　　ITissixhundredandfiftyyearssinceChretiendeTroyeswrotehisCliges。Andyetheiswonderfullynearus，whereasheisseparatedbyagreatgulffromtherudetrouveresoftheChansonsdeGestesandfromtheAnglo-SaxonChronicle，whichwasstilldraggingoutitswearylengthinhisearlydays。Chretienisasrefined，ascivilised，ascompositeasweareourselves;hisladiesareasfullofwhims，impulses，suddenreserves，self-debateasM。PaulBourget’sheroines;whiletheproblemsofconscienceandofemotionwhichconfrontthemareascomplexasthosepresentedonthemodernstage。Indeed，thereisnobreakbetweentheBretonromanceandthepsychological-analyticalnovelofourownday。
　　Whencecomesthisamazingmodernityandcomplexity？Frommanysources：——Provencallove-lore，Orientalsubtlety，andCelticmysticism——allblendedbythatmarvellousdexterity，style，malice，andmeasurewhicharesoutterlyFrenchthatEnglishhasnoadequatewordsforthem。Wesaid"Celticmysticism，"butthereissomethingelseaboutChretienwhichisalsoCeltic，thoughveryfarfrombeing"mystic"。WetalkagreatdealnowadaysaboutCelticmelancholy，Celticdreaminess，Celtic"other-worldliness";
　　andweforgetthequalitiesthatmadeCaesar’sGauls，St。Paul’sGalatians，sodifferentfromthegraveandsteadfastRomans——thatloudGauloisthathasmadetheParisianthetypicalFrenchman。A
　　differentbeing，thismodernAthenian，fromthemysticIrishpeasantweseeinthepoeticmodernIrishdrama！——andyetbothareCelts。
　　Notmuch"other-worldliness"aboutChretien。Heisaspositiveasanymancanbe。HisisnotoftheworldofSaintLouis，oftheCrusaders，oftheCathedral-builders。InCligesthereisnoreligiousatmosphereatall。WehearscarcelyanythingofMass，ofbishops，ofconvents。WhenhementionsTierceorPrime，itismerelytotellusthehouratwhichsomethinghappened——andthissomethingisneverareligiousservice。Thereisnothingbehindtheglamourofarmsandlove，exceptforthecasdeconsciencepresentedbythelovers。NothingbutnamesandframeworkareCeltic;thespirit，withitsrefinementsanditshair-splitting，isProvencal。Butwhatabrilliantwhole！whatart！whatmeasure！
　　Ourthoughtsturntothegiftedwomenoftheage——assubtle，asinteresting，andasunscrupulousasthewomenoftheRenaissance——toEleanorofAquitaine，areigningprincess，atroubadour，aCrusader，thewifeoftwokings，themotheroftwokings，tothelast，intriguingandpullingthestringsofpoliticalpower——"AnAte，stirringhim[KingJohn]tobloodandstrife。"
　　Thetwelfthcenturywasanageinwhichwomenhadfullscope——inwhichtheEmpressMaudherselftookthefieldagainstherfoe，inwhichStephen’squeenseizedafortress，inwhichawifecouldmoveherhusbandtowarortopeace，inwhichaMarieofChampagne（Eleanor’sdaughter）couldsetthetoneofgreatpoetsandchoosetheirsubjects。
　　If，then，thiswoman-worship，thiscomplexityoflove，thisself-debating，firstcomesintoliteraturewithChretiendeTroyes，andisstillwithus，nomoreinterestingworkexiststhanhisearliestmasterpiece，Cliges。ThedelicateandreticentSoredamors;thecourteousandlovable，Guinevere;theproudandpassionateFenice，whowillnotsacrificeherfairfameandchastity;thesorceressThessala，ancestressofJuliet’snurse——theseformagalleryofportraitsunprecedentedinliterature。
　　ThetranslatortakesthisopportunityofthankingMr。B。J。
　　Hayes，M。A。，ofSt。John’sCollege，Cambridge，foroccasionalhelp，andalsoforkindlyreadingtheproofs。
　　CLIGES
　　THEclerkwhowrotethetaleofErecandEnid，andtranslatedtheCommandmentsofOvidandtheArtofLove，andcomposedtheBiteoftheShoulder，andsangofKingMarkandoftheblondeIseult，andofthemetamorphosisoftheHoopoeandoftheSwallowandoftheNightingale，isnowbeginninganewtaleofayouthwhowasinGreeceofthelineageofKingArthur。ButbeforeItellyouanythingofhim，youshallhearhisfather’slife——whencehewasandofwhatlineage。Sovaliantwasheandofsuchproudspirit，thattowinworthandpraisehewentfromGreecetoEngland，whichwasthencalledBritain。WefindthisstorythatIdesiretotellandtorelatetoyou，recordedinoneofthebooksofthelibraryofmylordSaintPeteratBeauvais。ThencewastakenthetalefromwhichChretienframedthisromance。Thebook，whichtruthfullybearswitnesstothestory，isveryancient;forthisreasonitisallthemoretobebelieved。Fromthebookswhichwepossess，weknowthedeedsoftheancientsandoftheworldwhichaforetimewas。Thisourbookshavetaughtus：thatGreecehadthefirstrenowninchivalryandinlearning。ThencamechivalrytoRome，andtheheydayoflearning，whichnowiscomeintoFrance。
　　Godgrantthatshebemaintainedthere;andthatherhometherepleasehersomuchthatnevermaydepartfromFrancethehonourwhichhastheretakenupitsabode。Godhadlentthatglorytoothers;butnomantalksanylongereithermoreorlessaboutGreeksandRomans;talkofthemhasceased，andthebrightglowisextinct。
　　Chretienbeginshistale——asthestoryrelatestous——whichtellsofanemperormightyinwealthandhonour，whoruledGreeceandConstantinople。Therewasaverynobleempressbywhomtheemperorhadtwochildren。Butthefirstwasofsuchanagebeforetheotherwasborn，thatifhehadwilledhemighthavebecomeaknightandheldalltheempire。ThefirstwasnamedAlexander;
　　theyoungerwascalledAlis。ThefathertoohadfornameAlexander;andthemotherhadfornameTantalis。Iwillstraight-awayleavespeakingoftheempressTantalis，oftheemperor，andofAlis。IwillspeaktoyouofAlexander，whowassogreat-heartedandproudthathedidnotstooptobecomeaknightinhisownrealm。HehadheardmentionmadeofKingArthur，whowasreigningatthattime;andofthebaronswhichheevermaintainedinhisretinuewhereforehisCourtwasfearedandfamedthroughouttheworld。Howe’ertheendmayfalloutforhim，andwhate’ermaycomeofitforthelad，thereisnoughtthatwillholdhimfromhisyearningtogotoBritain;butitismeetthathetakeleaveofhisfatherbeforehegoestoBritainortoCornwall。Alexanderthefair，thevaliant，goestospeaktotheemperorinordertoaskpermissionandtotakehisleave。Nowwillhetellhimwhatishisvow，andwhathewouldfaindoandtakeinhand。"Fairsire，thatImaybeschooledinhonourandwinworthandrenown，aboon，"quothhe，"Iventuretocraveofyou——aboonthatIwouldhaveyougiveme;neverdeferitnowformeifyouaredestinedtograntit。"Theemperorhadnothoughtofbeingvexedforthat，eithermuchorlittle;heisboundtodesireandtocovethonourforhissonaboveaughtelse。Hewoulddeemhimselftobeactingwell——woulddeem？ay，andhewouldbesoacting——ifheincreasedhisson’shonour。"Fairson，"quothhe，"Igrantyouyourgoodpleasure，andtellmewhatyouwouldhavemegiveyou。"Nowtheladhasdonehisworkwell;andrightgladwasheofitwhenisgrantedhimtheboonthathesolongedtohave。"Sire，"quothhe，"wouldyouknowwhatyouhavepromisedme？IwishtohaveingreatstoreofyourgoldandofyoursilverandcomradesfromyourretinuesuchasIshallwilltochoose;
　　forIwishtogoforthfromyourempire，andIshallgotooffermyservicetothekingwhoreignsoverBritain，thathemaydubmeknight。Never，indeed，onanydayaslongasIliveshallI
　　wearvisoronmyfaceorhelmonmyhead，Iwarrantyou，tillKingArthurgirdonmyswordifhedeigntodoit;forIwillreceivearmsofnoother。"Theemperorwithoutmoreadoreplies：
　　"Fairson，inGod’sname，saynotso。Thislandandmightyarediverseandcontrary。Andthatmanisaslave。Constantinopleiswhollyyours。YoumustnotholdmeaniggardwhenIwouldfaingiveyousofairaboon。SoonwillIhaveyoucrowned;andaknightshallyoubeto-morrow。AllGreeceshallbeinyourhand;
　　andyoushallreceivefromyourbarons——asindeedyououghttoreceive——theiroathsandhomage。Hewhorefusesthisisnowiseman。"
　　Theladhearsthepromise——namely，thathisfatherwilldubhimknightonthemorrowafterMass——butsaysthathewillprovehimselfcowardorheroinanotherlandthanhisown。"IfyouwillgrantmybooninthatmatterinwhichIhaveaskedyou;thengivemefurbothgreyandofdiverscolourandgoodsteedsandsilkenattire;forbeforeIamknightIwillfainserveKingArthur。NotyethaveIsogreatvalourthatIcanbeararms。Nonebyentreatyorbyfairwordscouldpersuademenottogointotheforeignlandtoseethekingandhisbarons，whoserenownforcourtesyandforprowessissogreat。Manyhighmenthroughtheiridlenesslosegreatpraisethattheymighthaveiftheywanderedo’ertheworld。Reposeandpraiseagreealltogether，asitseemstome;
　　foramanofmightwhoiseverrestinginnowisebecomesfamous。
　　Prowessisaburdentoacowardlyman;andcowardiceisaburdentothebrave;thusthetwaintohispossessionswhoiseverheapingthemupandincreasingthem。Fairsire，aslongasIamallowedtowinrenown，ifIcanavailsomuch，Iwillgivemypainsanddiligencetoit。"
　　Atthis，withoutdoubt，theemperorfeelsjoyandanxiety——joyhashe;forthatheperceivesthathissonaimsatvaliantdeeds;
　　andanxietyontheotherhand，forthatheisleavinghim。Butbecauseofthepromisethathehasmadehimitbehoveshimtogranthisboonwhateveranxietyhefeelaboutit;foranemperormustnotlie。"Fairson，"quothhe，"Ioughtnottofailtodoyourpleasure，sinceIseethatyouaspiretohonour。Youmaytakefrommytreasurytwobarquesfullofgoldandsilver;buttakecarethatyoubeverygenerousandcourteousandwell-bred。"
　　Nowistheyouthrightglad;forhisfatherpromiseshimsomuchthatheputshistreasureathisfreedisposalandexhortsandcommandshimtogiveandtospendliberally;andalsohetellshimthereasonwherefore："Fairson，"quothhe，"believemeinthis;thatopen-handednessistheladyandqueenwhoilluminesallvirtues;anditisnotawhitdifficulttoprovethis。Inwhatplacecouldonefindaman，howevermightyandmagnificenthebe，thatisnotblamedifhebeaniggard;oranyman，howeverill-reputedhebe，whomliberalitydoesnotrenderpraised？
　　Liberalityofitselfmakesamanofhonour——whichneitherhighRank，norcourtesy，norknowledge，nornoblebirth，norwealth，norstrength，norchivalry，norcourage，norlordship，norbeauty，noranyotherthing，cando。Butjustastheroseisfairerthananyotherflowerwhenshebuddethfreshandnew;sowhereliberalitycomessheholdsherselfaboveallvirtues，andshemultipliesfivehundredfoldthevirtuesthatshefindsinanhonourablemanwhoproveshisworth。ThereissomuchtosayaboutliberalitythatIcouldnottellthehalfofit。"Wellhastheladsucceededinwhatsoeverhehasrequestedandasked;forhisfatherhasfoundforhimallthathisdesireconceived。
　　Exceedingsorrowfulwastheempresswhensheheardoftheroadwhichhersonmustneedsfollow;butwhoeverhasgriefandanxietythereof，orwhoeverdeemshisconductbutfolly，orblamesanddissuadeshim，theyouthasquicklyashecouldbadehisshipsbegotready;forhehadnowishtostaylongerinhisowncountry。Theshipswereloadedthatnightbyhiscommandwithwinewithmeatandwithbiscuits。
　　TheshipsareloadedintheharbourandonthemorrowwithgreatjoyancecameAlexandertothesandyshore;andwithhimhiscomradeswhowerefainofthejourney。Theemperorconvoyshimandtheempresswhowassadatheart。Intheharbourtheyfindthemarinersintheshipsbesidethecliff。Theseawaspeacefulandsmooththewindgentleandtheairserene。Alexanderfirstofall，whenhehadpartedfromhisfatherandontakingleaveoftheempresswhoseheartwassadwithinher，entersfromtheboatintotheshipandhiscomradeswithhim。Four，three，andtwo，theysimultaneouslystrivetoenterwithoutdelay。Fullsoonwasthesailspreadandtheanchorofthebarqueweighed。Thoseonland，whoweresoreatheartfortheladswhomtheyseedeparting，followthemwiththeireyes’kenasfarastheycan;
　　andsothattheymaywatchthemthebetterandthefurther，theygooffandclimbtogetherahighpeakbytheshore。Thencetheywatchtheirsorrowasfarastheycanseethem。Theygazeattheirownsorrowinsooth;forgreatistheirsorrowforthelads：mayGodleadthemtoportwithoutdisasterandwithoutperil！
　　TheywereatseaallAprilandpartofMay。WithoutgreatperilandwithoutalarmtheymadelandaboveSouthampton。Oneday’twixtNonesandVesperstheycastanchorandhavemadetheport。
　　Theyouths，whohadneverpreviouslylearnedtosufferdiscomfortorpain，hadstayedontheseawhichwasnotwholesomeforthemsolongthatallarepaleandallthestrongestandmosthealthyareweakenedandnerveless。And，nevertheless，theyshowgreatjoy;forthattheyhaveescapedfromtheseaandcomehitherwheretheywouldbe。Andbecausetheyweresufferinggreatly，theyliethatnightaboveSouthamptonandshowgreatjoyandletaskandinquirewhetherthekingisinEngland。TheyaretoldthatheisatWinchester;andthattheycanbetherefullsooniftheywilldepartwithmorningprovidedthattheykeeptotherightway。Thisnewspleasesthemwell;andonthemorrow，whenthedayisborn，theladswakeupwithmorningandequipandpreparethemselves。AndwhentheywereequippedtheyhaveturnedfromaboveSouthamptonandhavekepttotherightwaytilltheyhavereachedWinchesterwherethekingwastarrying。BeforePrimetheGreekshadcometoCourt。Theydismountatthefootofthesteps，thesquiresandthehorsesstayedinthecourtbelow;andtheyouthsascendtothepresenceofthebestkingthateverwasorevermaybeintheworld。Andwhenthekingseesthemcome，theypleaseanddelighthimmuch;buteretheyhadcomebeforehim，theythrowoffthecloaksfromtheirnecksthattheymightnotbetakenforclowns。Thusallhavingthrownofftheircloakshavecomebeforetheking。Andthebaronsoneandallkeepsilence;fortheyouthspleasethemmightilyforthattheyseethemfairandcomely。Neverdotheydreamthattheyareallsonsofcountsorofaking;yettrulysotheywere，andtheywereinthefloweroftheiryouth，comelyandwellsetupinbody;andtherobesthattheyworewereofoneclothandonecut，ofoneappearanceandonecolour。TwelveweretheywithouttheirlordofwhomIwilltellyouthismuchwithoutmoreado;thatnonewasbetterthanhe;butwithoutarroganceandyetunabashedhestoodwithhismantleoffbeforetheking，andwasveryfairandwellshaped。Hehaskneeleddownbeforehim，andalltheothersfromcourtesy，kneelbesidetheirlord。
　　Alexander，whosetonguewassharpenedtospeakwellandwisely，greetstheking。"King，"quothhe，"ifrenownlienotconcerningyousinceGodmadethefirstman，nokingwithfaithinGodwasbornsopowerfulasyou。King，thereportthatisinmen’smouthshasbroughtmetoyourCourttoserveandhonouryou，andifmyserviceispleasingIwillstaytillIbeanew-madeknightatyourhand，notatthatofanother。FornevershallIbedubbedknightifIbenotsobyyou。Ifmyservicesopleaseyouthatyouwilltomakemeaknight，keepme，graciousking，andmycomradeswhoarehere。"Straightwaythekingreplies："Friend，"
　　quothhe，"Irejectnotawhiteitheryouoryourcompany;butyeareallrightwelcome;foryehavetheair，Iwellthinkit，ofbeingsonsofmenofhighrank。Whenceareye？""WearefromGreece。""FromGreece？""Trulyarewe。""Whoisthyfather？"
　　"Faith，sire，theemperor。""Andwhatisthyname，fairfriend？"
　　"AlexanderwasthenamegivenmewhenIreceivedsaltandchrismandChristianityandbaptism。""Alexander，fairdearfriend，I
　　keepyourightwillingly;andmuchdoesitpleaseandjoyme，foryouhavedonemeexceedinggreathonourinthatyouarecometomyCourt。Itismygoodpleasurethatyoubehonouredhereasanoblewarrior，wiseandgentle。Toolonghaveyoubeenonyourknees：rise，Ibidyou，andhenceforthbefreeofmyCourtandofme;foryouhavearrivedatagoodhaven。"
　　ForthwiththeGreeksrise。Blithearetheyforthatthekinghasthuscourteouslykeptthem。Alexanderiswelcome;forthereisnolackofaughtthathewishesnoristhereanybaronintheCourtsohighthathedoesnotspeakhimfairandwelcomehim。Forheisnotfoolishnorboastfulnordothhevaunthisnoblebirth。HemakeshimselfknowntoSirGawainandtotheothersonebyone。
　　Hemakeshimselfmuchlovedbyeach;evenSirGawainloveshimsomuchthathehailshimasfriendandcomrade。TheGreekshadtakeninthetownatthehouseofacitizenthebestlodgingthattheycouldfind。AlexanderhadbroughtgreatpossessionsfromConstantinople：hewilldesireaboveaughtelsetofollowdiligentlytheemperor’sadviceandcounsel——namely，thatheshouldhavehisheartwide-awaketogiveandtospendliberally。
　　Hegivesgreatdiligenceandpainsthereto。Heliveswellathislodgingandgivesandspendsliberallyasitbeseemshiswealth，andashisheartcounselshim。ThewholeCourtmarvelswhencehisstoreistaken;forhegivestoallhorsesofgreatpricewhichhehadbroughtfromhisland。SomuchtroublehasAlexandergivenhimself，andsomuchhasheprevailedbyhisfairservice，thatthekinglovesandesteemshimdearlyaswellthebaronsandthequeen。
　　AtthatpointoftimeKingArthurdesiredtopassoverintoBrittany。HebidsallhisbaronsassembleinordertoseekCounsel，andaskthemtowhomtillhereturnhecanentrustEngland，whomaykeepandmaintainitinpeace。BytheCouncilitwaswithoneconsententrusted，asIthink，toCountEngresofWindsor;fortillthentheydeemednobaronmoreloyalinalltheking’sland。Whenthismanhadthelandinhispower，KingArthurandthequeenandherladiessetoutonthemorrow。InBrittanyfolkheartellthatthekingandhisbaronsarecoming：theBretonsrejoicegreatlythereat。
　　IntotheshipinwhichthekingcrossedenteredneitheryouthnormaidensaveAlexanderalone;andthequeenofatruthbroughtthitherSoredamors，aladywhoscornedLove。Neverhadsheheardtellofamanwhomshecoulddeigntolovehowevermuchbeautyprowessdominionorhighrankhehad。AndyetthedamselwassowinsomeandfairthatshemightwellhaveknownLoveifithadpleasedhertoturnhermindtoit;butneverhadshewilledtobendhermindthereto。NowwillLovemakehersorrowful;andLovethinkstoavengehimselfrightwellforthegreatprideandresistancewhichshehasalwaysshowntohim。RightwellhasLoveaimed;forhehasstrickenherintheheartwithhisarrow。Oftshegrowspale;oftthebeadsofsweatbreakout，andinspiteofherselfshemustlove。ScarcecansherefrainfromlookingtowardsAlexander;butshemustneedsguardherselfagainstmyLordGawainherbrother。Dearlydoesshebuyandpayforhergreatprideandherdisdain。Lovehasheatedforherabathwhichmightilyinflamesandenkindlesher。Nowishekindtoher，nowcruel;nowshewantshim，andnowsherejectshim。Sheaccuseshereyesoftreacheryandsays："Eyes，youhavebetrayedme。
　　Throughyouhasmyheartwhichwaswonttobefaithfulconceivedhatredforme。NowdoeswhatIseebringgrief。Grief？Nay，intruth，butratherpleasure。AndifIseeaughtthatgrievesme，stillhaveInotmyeyesundermyownsway？Mystrengthmustindeedhavefailedme;andImustesteemmyselfbutlightlyifI
　　cannotcontrolmyeyesandmakethemlookelsewhere。BysodoingIshallbeabletoguardmyselfrightwellfromLove，whowishestobemymaster。Whattheeyeseesnottheheartdoesnotlament。
　　IfIdonotseehimtherewillbenopain。Hedoesnotentreatorseekme：ifhehadlovedmehewouldhavesoughtme。Andsinceheneitherlovesnoresteemsme，shallIlovehimifhelovesmenot？Ifhisbeautydrawsmyeyes，andmyeyesobeythespell，shallIforthatsayIlovehim？Nay，forthatwouldbealie。BydrawingmyeyeshehasdonemenowrongofwhichIcancomplain;
　　andIcanbringnochargeatallagainsthim。Onecannotlovewiththeeyes。Andwhatwrong，then，havemyeyesdonetomeiftheygazeonwhatIwilltolookat？Whatfaultandwrongdotheycommit？OughtItoblamethem？Nay。Whom，then？Myself，whohavetheminmykeeping？Myeyelooksonnoughtunlessitpleasesanddelightsmyheart。Myheartcouldnotwishforaughtthatwouldmakemesorrowful。Itismyheart’swillthatmakesmesorrow。
　　Sorrow？Faith，then，amImad？sincethroughmyheartIdesirethatwhichmakesmemad。Iought，indeed，ifIcantoridmyselfofawillwhencegriefmaycometome。IfIcan？Fool，whathaveIsaid？ThenwereIweakindeedifIhadnopowerovermyself。
　　DoesLovethinktoputmeinthewaywhichiswonttomisleadotherfolk？Thusmayheleadothers;butIamnothisatall。
　　NevershallIbeso;neverwasIso;nevershallIdesirehisfurtheracquaintance。"Thusshedisputeswithherself，onehourlovesandanotherhates。Sheisinsuchdoubtthatshedoesnotknowwhichsidetotake。ShethinkssheisdefendingherselfagainstLove;butsheisinnoneedofdefence。God！WhydoesshenotknowthatthethoughtsofAlexander，onhisside，aredirectedtowardsher？Lovedealsouttothemimpartiallysuchaportionasismeetforeach。Hegivestothemmanyareasonandgroundthattheoneshouldloveanddesiretheother。Thislovewouldhavebeenloyalandrightiftheonehadknownwhatwasthewilloftheother;buthedoesnotknowwhatshedesires，norshe，forwhatheislamenting。Thequeenwatchesthemandseestheoneandtheotheroftenlosecolourandgrowpaleandsighandshudder;butsheknowsnotwhytheydoitunlessitbeonaccountoftheseaonwhichtheyaresailing。Perhaps，indeed，shewouldhaveperceiveditiftheseahadnotmisledher;butitistheseawhichbafflesanddeceiveshersothatamidthesea-sicknesssheseesnottheheart-sickness。Fortheyareatsea，andheart-sicknessisthecauseoftheirplight，andheart-bitternessisthecauseofthemaladythatgripsthem;butofthesethreethequeencanonlyblamethesea;forheart-sicknessandheart-bitternesslaytheblameonthesea-sickness;andbecauseofthethirdthetwowhoareguiltygetoffscot-free。Hewhoisguiltlessoffaultorwrongoftenpaysdearforthesinofanother。Thusthequeenviolentlyaccusestheseaandblamesit;butwronglyistheblamelaidonthesea，fortheseahasdonethereinnowrong。MuchsorrowhasSoredamorsborneeretheshiphascometoport。Theking’scomingisnoisedabroad;fortheBretonshadgreatjoythereofandservedhimrightwillinglyastheirlawfullord。IseeknottospeakmoreatlengthofKingArthuratthistime：rathershallyehearmetellhowLovetormentsthetwoloversagainstwhomhehastakenthefield。
　　Alexanderlovesanddesiresherwhoissighingforhislove;butheknowsnot，andwillnotknowaughtofthisuntilheshallhavesufferedmanyanillandmanyagrief。Forloveofherheservesthequeenandtheladiesofherchamber;buthedoesnotdaretospeaktooraddressherwhoismostinhismind。Ifshehaddaredtomaintainagainsthimtherightwhichshethinksishersinthematter，willinglywouldhehavetoldhimofit;butsheneitherdaresnoroughttodoso。Andthefactthattheoneseestheother，andthattheydarenotspeakoract，turnstogreatadversityforthem;andlovegrowstherebyandburns。Butitisthecustomofallloversthattheywillinglyfeedtheireyesonlooksiftheycandonobetter，andthinkthatbecausethesourcewhencetheirlovebudsandgrowsdelightsthemthereforeitmusthelptheircase，whereasitinjuresthem：justasthemanwhoapproachesandcomesclosetothefireburnshimselfmorethanthemanwhodrawsbackfromit。Theirlovegrowsandincreasescontinually;buttheonefeelsshamebeforetheother;andeachconcealsandhidesthislovesothatneitherflamenorsmokeisseenfromthegleedbeneaththeashes。Buttheheatisnonethelessforthat;rathertheheatlastslongerbelowthegleedthanaboveit。Boththeloversareinverygreatanguish;forinorderthattheircomplaintmaynotbeknownorperceived，eachmustdeceiveallmenbyfalsepretence;butinthenightgreatistheplaintwhicheachmakesinsolitude。
　　FirstwillItellyouofAlexander：howhecomplainsandlaments。
　　LovebringsbeforehismindtheladyforwhosesakehefeelssuchSorrow;forshehasrobbedhimofhisheart，andwillnotlethimrestinhisbed;somuchitdelightshimtorecallthebeautyandthemienofherastowhomhedarenothopethateverjoyofhermayfalltohislot。"Imayholdmyselfafool，"quothhe。"A
　　fool？TrulyamIafool，sinceIdonotdaretosaywhatIthink;
　　forquicklywoulditturntomybane。Ihavesetmythoughtonfolly。Thenisitnotbetterformetomeditateinsilencethantogetmyselfdubbedafool？Nevershallmydesirebeknown。AndshallIhidethecauseofmygrief，andnotdaretoseekhelporsuccourformysorrows？Hewhoisconsciousofweaknessisafoolifhedoesnotseekthatbywhichhemayhavehealthifhecanfinditanywhere;butmanyaonethinkstogainhisownadvantageandtowinwhathedesires，whopursuesthatwhereofhesorrowslater。Andwhyshouldhegotoseekadvicewhenhedoesnotexpecttofindhealth？Thatwereavaintoil！IfeelmyownillsoheavyaburdenthatnevershallIfindhealingforitbymedicineorbypotionorbyherborbyroot。Thereisnotaremedyforeveryill：mineissorootedthatitcannotbecured。
　　Cannot？MethinksIhavelied。AssoonasIfirstfeltthisevil，ifIhaddaredtorevealandtotellit，Icouldhavespokentoaleech，whocouldhavehelpedmeinthewholematter;butitisverygrievousformetospeakout。Perhapstheywouldnotdeigntolistenandwouldrefusetoacceptafee。NowonderisitthenifIamdismayed，forIhaveagreatill;andyetIdonotknowwhatillitiswhichswaysmenordoIknowwhencecomesthispain。Idonotknow？Yes，indeed，IthinkIknow;Lovemakesmefeelthisevil。How？DoesLove，then，knowhowtodoevil？Ishenotkindanddebonair？IthoughtthattherewouldhavebeennoughtinLovewhichwasnotgood;butIhavefoundhimverymalicious。HewhohasnotputhimtothetestknowsnotwithwhatgamesLovemeddles。Heisafoolwhogoestomeethim;foralwayshewishestoburdenhissubjects。Faith！hisgameisnotatallagoodone。Itisillplayingwithhim;forhissportwillcausemesorrow。WhatshallIdo，then？ShallIdrawbackIthinkthatthiswouldbetheactofawiseman;butIcannottellhowtosetaboutit。IfLovechastisesandthreatensinordertoteachmehislesson，oughtItodisdainmymaster？Hewhodespiseshismasterisafool。NeedsmustIstoreupinmymindLove’slessonforsooncangreatgoodcomeofit。Buthebuffetsmegreatly：
　　thatsetsmeinalarm！True，neitherblownorwoundisvisibleandyetdostthoucomplain？Thenartthounotwrong？Nay，indeed，forhehaswoundedmesosorethathehaswingedhisarroweventomyheart;andnotyethashedrawnitoutagain。Howthenhashestruckhisdartintothybodywhennowoundappearswithout？
　　Thisshaltthoutellme;Iwouldfainknowit。Inwhatmemberhashestruckthee？Throughtheeye。Throughtheeye？Andyethehasnotputoutthineeye？Hehasdonemenohurtintheeye;buthewoundsmesorelyattheheart。Nowspeakreasontome：howhasthedartpassedthroughthineeyeinsuchwisethattheeyeisnotwoundedorbruisedbyit？Ifthedartenterthroughthemidstoftheeye，whydoesmyheartsufferpaininmybody？Whydoesnotmyeyealsofeelthepain，sinceitreceivesthefirstblow？
　　ThatcanIwellexplain。Theeyehasnocaretounderstandaughtnorcanitdoanythinginthematterinanyway;buttheeyeisthemirrortotheheart，andthroughthismirrorpassesthefirebywhichtheheartiskindled;yetsothatitneitherwoundsnorbraisesit。Thenisnottheheartplacedinthebodylikethelightedcandlewhichisputinsidethelantern？Ifyoutakethecandleout，neverwillanylightissuethence;butaslongasthecandlelaststhelanternisnotdark;andtheflamewhichshinesthroughneitherharmsnorinjuresit。Likewiseisitwithregardtoawindow：neverwillitbesostrongandsowholebutthattherayofthesunmaypassthroughitwithouthurtingitinanyway;
　　andtheglasswillneverbesoclearthatonewillseeanybetterforitsbrightnessifanotherbrightnessdoesnotstrikeuponit。
　　Knowthatitisthesamewiththeeyesaswiththeglassandthelantern;forthelightpenetratesintotheeyes，theheart’smirror;andtheheartseestheobjectoutsidewhateveritbe，andseesmanyvariousobjects，somegreen，othersdarkofhue，onecrimson，theotherblue;anditblamestheoneandpraisestheother，holdstheonecheapandtheotherprecious;butmanyanobjectshowshimafairfaceinthemirrorwhenhelooksatit，whichwillbetrayhimifhebenotonhisguard。Mymirrorhasmuchdeceivedme;forinitMYhearthasseenaraybywhichIamstruck，whichhastakenshelterinme;andbecauseofthismyhearthasfailedme。Iamill-treatedbymyfriendwhodesertsmeformyenemy。WellcanIaccusemymirroroftreachery;forithassinnedexceedinglyagainstme。IthoughtIhadthreefriends：myheartandmytwoeyestogether;butmethinkstheyhateme。WhereshallIfindanymoreafriend，sincethesethreeareenemieswhobelongtomeyetkillme？Myservantspresumeovermuchwhodoalltheirownwillandhavenocareofmine。Now，knowIwellofatruthfromtheactionofthosewhohaveinjuredme：thatagoodmaster’slovedecaysthroughkeepingbadservants。Hewhoassociateswithabadservantcannotfailtolamentitsoonerorlater，whatevercomeofit。
　　"NowwillIspeaktoyouagainofthearrowwhichisgivenintrusttomeandtellyouhowitismadeandcut;butIfearmuchthatImayfailinthematter;forthecarvedworkofitissomagnificentthattwillbenomarvelifIfail。AndyetIwillapplyallmydiligencetosaywhatIthinkofit。Thenotchandthefeatherstogetheraresoclosethatifamanlookswellatthemthereisbutonedividinglinelikeanarrowpartinginthehair;butthislineissopolishedandstraight，thatwithoutquestionthereisnoughtinthenotchwhichcanbeimproved。Thefeathersareofsuchahueasiftheyweregoldorgilded;butgildingcanaddnothing;forthefeathers，thisknowIwell，werebrighterstillthangold。ThefeathersaretheblondetressesthatIsawtheotherdayatsea。Thisisthearrowthatmakesmelove。God！Whatapricelessboon！Ifamancouldhavesuchatreasure，whyshouldhedesireanyotherwealthallhislife？Formypart，IcouldswearthatIshoulddesirenothingmore;formerelythefeathersandthenotchwouldInotgiveawayinexchangeforAntioch。AndsinceIprizethesetwothingssomuch，whocoulddulyappraisethevalueoftherestwhichissofairandlovable，andsodearandsoprecious，thatIamdesirousandeagertobeholdmyselfmirroredagaininthebrowthatGodhasmadesobrightthatnormirrornoremeraldnortopazwouldmakeanyshowbesideit。Butofallthis，hewhogazesatthebrightnessoftheeyeshasnotawordtosay;fortoallthosewhobeholdthemtheyseemtwoglowingcandles。Andwhohassoglibatonguethathecoulddescribethefashionofthewell-shapednose，andofthebrightcountenancewheretheroseoverlaysthelilysothatiteclipsessomethingofthelilyinorderthebettertoilluminatetheface，andofthesmilinglittlemouthwhichGodmadesuchonpurposethatnooneshouldseeitandnotthinkthatitislaughing？Andwhatoftheteethinhermouth？Oneissoclosetotheotherthatitseemsthattheyalltouch，andsothattheymightthebetterachievethis，Naturebestowedspecialpains，sothatwhoevershouldseethemwhenthemouthopenswouldneverdreamthattheywerenotofivoryorsilver。Somuchthereistosayandtorecountinthedescribingofeachthing——bothofthechinandoftheears——thatitwouldbenogreatmarvelifIweretoleaveoutsomething。Ofthethroat，Itellyou，thatincomparisonwithit，crystalisbutdim。Andtheneckbeneathhertressesisfourtimeswhiterthanivory。Asmuchasisdisclosedfromthehemofthevestbehind，totheclaspoftheopeninginfront，sawIofthebarebosomuncovered，whiter，thanisthenew-fallensnow。MypainwouldindeedhavebeenalleviatedifIcouldhaveseenthewholeofthearrow。RightwillinglyifIhadknownwouldIhavesaidwhatthetipofthearrowislike：Ididnotseeit;anditisnotmyownfaultifIcannottellthefashionofathingthatI
　　havenotseen。Loveshowedmethennoughtofitexceptthenotchandthefeathers;forthearrowwasputinthequiver;thequiveristhetunicandthevestwherewiththemaidwasclad。Faith！
　　Thisisthewoundthatkillsme;thisisthedart;thisistheraywithwhichIamsocruellyinflamed。Itisignobleofmetobeangry。NeverforprovocationorforwarshallanypledgethatImustseekoflovebebroken。NowletLovedisposeofmeasheoughttodowithwhatishis;forIwishit，andthisismypleasure。NeverdoIseekthatthismaladyshouldleaveme;
　　ratherdoIwishittoholdmethusforever;andthatfromnonemayhealthcometomeifhealthcomenotfromthatsourcewhencethediseasehascome。"
　　GreatistheplaintofAlexander;butthatwhichthedamseluttersisnotawhitless。Allnightsheisinsogreatpainthatsheneithersleepsnorrests。Lovehassetinarraywithinherabattlethatragesandmightilyagitatesherheart;andwhichcausessuchanguishandtorturethatsheweepsallnightandcomplainsandtossesandstartsup，sothatherheartallbutstopsbeating。Andwhenshehassogrievedandsobbedandmoanedandstartedandsighed，thenshehaslookedinherhearttoseewhoandofwhatworthwasheforwhosesakeLovewastorturingher。Andwhenshehasrecalledeachwanderingthought，thenshestretchesherselfandturnsover;andturning，sheturnstofollyallthethinkingshehasdone。Thenshestartsonanotherargumentandsays："Fool！Whatdoesitmattertomeifthisyouthisdebonairandwiseandcourteousandvaliant！Allthisishonourandadvantagetohim。AndwhatcareIforhisbeauty？Lethisbeautydepartwithhim——andsoitwill，forallIcando;
　　neverwouldIwishtotakeawayaughtofit。Takeaway？Nay，truly，thatdoInotassuredly。IfhehadthewisdomofSolomon，andifNaturehadputsomuchbeautyinhimthatshecouldnothaveputmoreinahumanbody，andifGodhadputinmyhandthepowertodestroyall，Iwouldnotseektoangerhim;butwillinglyifIcouldwouldImakehimmorewiseandmorebeautiful。Faith！then，Idonothatehimatall。AndamIthenonthataccounthislady？No，indeed，nomorethanIamanother’s。AndwhereforedoIthinkmoreofhimifhedoesnotpleasememorethananother？Iknownot：Iamallbewildered，forneverdidIthinksomuchaboutanymanlivingintheworld。AndifIhadmywishIshouldseehimalways;neverwouldIseektotakemyeyesoffhimsomuchthesightofhimdelightsme。Isthislove？Methinksitis。NevershouldIhavecalledonhimsooftenifIhadnotlovedhimmorethananother。Yes，Ilovehim：
　　letthatbegranted。AndshallInothavemydesire？Yes，providedthatIfindfavourinhiseyes。Thisdesireiswrong;
　　butLovehastakensuchholdofmethatIamfoolishanddazedandtodefendmyselfavailsmenoughtherein;thusImustsufferLove’sattack。IhaveindeedguardedmyselfthuswiselyandforlongagainstLove;neveroncebeforedidIwishtodoaughtforhim，butnowIamtoogracioustohim。Andwhatthanksdoesheoweme，sincehecannothaveserviceorkindnessofmebyfairmeans？ItisbyforcethatLovehastamedmypride;andImustneedsbesubjecttohiswill。NowIwishtolove;nowIamunderhistuition;nowwillLoveteachme。Andwhat？HowIoughttoservehim。OfthatamIrightwellapprised。Iamfullwiseinhisservice，fornoonecouldfindfaultwithmeinthismatter。
　　Noneedistherehenceforthformetolearnmore。Lovewouldhaveme，andIwouldfainbewisewithoutpride，graciousandcourteoustowardsall，butthetrueloveofoneonly。ShallI
　　lovethemallforthesakeofone？AfairmienshouldIshowtoeach;butLovedoesnotbidmetobeatruelovetoeveryman。
　　Loveteachesnoughtbutgood。ItisnotfornothingthatIhavethisname，andthatIamcalledSoredamors。Ioughttolove，andIoughttobeloved，andIwishtoproveitbymyname，ifIcanfindfittingarguments。Itisnotwithoutmeaningthatthefirstpartofmynameisthecolourofgold;forthemostbeautifularetheblondest。ThereforeIholdmynamethefairerbecauseitbeginswiththecolourwithwhichaccordsthefinestgold。AndtheendrecallsLove;forhewhocallsmebymyrightnameevercallsLovetomymind。Andtheonehalfgildstheotherwithbrightandyellowgilding;forSoredamorsmeansthesamethingas’gildedwithlove’。Much，then，hasLovehonouredme，sincehehasgildedmewithhimself。Gildingofgoldisnotsofineasthatwhichilluminesme。AndIshallsetmycareonthis，thatI
　　maybeofhisgilding;nevermorewillIcomplainofhim。NowI
　　loveandshallalwayslove。Whom？Truly，afinequestion！HimwhomLovebidsmelove;fornoothershalleverhavemylove。
　　WhatdoesitmatterashewillneverknowitunlessItellhimmyself？WhatshallIdoifIdonotprayhimforhislove？Forhewhodesiresathingoughtindeedtorequestandprayforit。How？
　　ShallIthenprayhim？Nay，indeed。Whynot？Itneverhappenedthatawomandidaughtsowitlessastobegamanforloveunlesssheweremorethancommonmad。IshouldbeconvictedoffollyifIsaidwithmymouthaughtthatmightturntomyreproach。Ifheshouldknowitfrommymouth，Ideemthathewouldholdmethecheaperforit，andwouldoftenreproachmewithhavingbeenthefirsttoprayforlove。NeverbeLovesoabasedthatIshouldgoandentreatthisman，sincehewouldbeboundtoholdmethecheaperforit。AhGod！howwillheeverknowit，sinceIshallnottellhim？AsyetIhavescarcesufferedaughtforwhichI
　　needsodistressmyself。Ishallwaittillheperceivesit，ifheiseverdestinedtoperceiveit。Hewillknowitwellofatruth，Ithink，ifeverhehadaughttodowithLoveorheardtellofitbywordofmouth。Heardtell！NowhaveIsaidfoolishwords。
　　Love’sloreisnotsoeasythatamanbecomeswisebyspeakingofitunlessgoodexperiencebetheretoo。OfmyselfIknowthiswell;fornevercouldIlearnaughtofitbyfairspeakingorbywordofmouth;andyetIhavebeenmuchatLove’sschool，andhaveoftenbeenflattered;butalwayshaveIkeptalooffromhim，andnowhemakesmepaydearforit;fornowIknowmoreofitthananoxdoesofploughing。ButofthisIdespair——thatheneverloved，perhaps，andifhedoesnotlove，andhasnotloved;thenhaveIbeensowingintheseawherenoseedcantakeroot;andthereisnothingforitbuttowaitforhimandtosuffertillIseewhetherIcanbringhimintotherightwaybyhintsandcovertwords。Iwillsoactthathewillbecertainofhavingmyloveifhedarestoseekit。ThustheendofthewholematteristhatIlovehimandamhis。Ifhedoesnotloveme，I
　　shalllovehimallthesame。"
　　Thusbothheandshecomplain，andtheonehidesthecasefromtheother;theyhavesorrowinthenightandworsebyday。Insuchpaintheyhave，itseemstome，beenalongwhileinBrittanyuntilitcametotheendofsummer。RightatthebeginningofOctobercamemessengersfromthepartsaboutDoverfromLondonandfromCanterburytobringthekingtidingsthathavetroubledhisheart。Themessengershavetoldhimthis——thathemaywelltarrytoolonginBrittany;forhetowhomhehadentrustedhisland，andhadconsignedsogreatahostofhissubjectsandofhisfriends，willnowsethimselfinbattlearrayagainsttheking;andhehasmarchedintoLondoninordertoholdthecityagainstthehourthatArthurshouldhavereturned。
　　Whenthekingheardthenewshecallsallhisbarons;forhewasindignantandfullofdispleasure。Thathemaythebetterstirthemuptoconfoundthetraitor，hesaysthatalltheblameforhistoilandforhiswaristheirs;forthroughtheirpersuasionhegavehislandandputitintothehandofthetraitorwhoisworsethanGanelon。Thereisnotonewhodoesnotquiteallowthatthekinghasrightandreason;fortheyallcounselledhimtodoso;butthetraitorwillberuinedforit。Andlethimknowwellofatruththatinnocastleorcitywillhebeablesotoprotecthisbodythattheydonotdraghimoutofitbyforce。
　　Thustheyallassurethekingandsolemnlyaffirmandswearthattheywillgiveupthetraitorornolongerholdtheirlands。AndthekinghasitproclaimedthroughallBrittanythatnonewhocanbeararmsinthehostremaininthecountrywithoutcomingafterhimquickly。
　　AllBrittanyismoved：neverwassuchahostseenasKingArthurassembled。Whentheshipsmovedoutitseemedthateverybodyintheworldwasonthesea;fornoteventhewaveswereseen，socoveredweretheywithships。Thisfactiscertain，thatitseemsfromthestirthatallBrittanyistakingship。Nowhavetheshipsmadethepassage;andthefolkwhohavethrongedtogethergointoquartersalongtheshore。ItcameintoAlexander’shearttogoandbegthekingtomakehimaknight;forifeverheistowinrenownhewillwinitinthiswar。Hetakeshiscomradeswithhim，ashiswillurgeshimontodowhathehaspurposed。Theyhavegonetotheking’stent：thekingwassittingbeforehistent。WhenheseestheGreekscominghehascalledthembeforehim。"Sirs，"quothhe，"hidenotfrommewhatneedbroughtyouhere。"Alexanderspokeforallandhastoldhimhisdesire："Iamcome，"quothhe，"toprayyouasIamboundtopray，mylord，formycompanionsandformyself，thatyoumakeusknights。"Thekingreplies："Rightgladly;andnotamoment’sdelayshalltherebe，sinceyouhavemademethisrequest。"Thenthekingbidstherebeborneharnessfortwelveknights：doneiswhatthekingcommands。
　　Eachasksforhisownharness;andeachhashisowninhispossession，fairarmsandagoodsteed：eachonehastakenhisharness。Allthetwelvewereoflikevalue，armsandapparelandhorse;buttheharnessforAlexander’sbodywasworthasmuch——ifanyonehadcaredtovalueortosellit——asthearmsofalltheothertwelvetogether。Straightwaybytheseatheydisrobedandwashedandbathed;fortheyneitherwishednordeignedthatanyotherbathshouldbeheatedforthem。Theymadetheseatheirbathandtub。
　　Thequeen，whodoesnothateAlexander——ratherdoessheloveandpraiseandprizehimmuch——hearsofthematter。Shewillstodohimagreatservice;itisfargreaterthanshethinks。Shesearchesandemptiesallhercheststillshehasdrawnforthashirtofwhitesilkverywellwroughtverydelicateandveryfine。Therewasnothreadintheseamsthatwasnotofgold，orattheleastofsilver。Soredamorsfromtimetotimehadsetherhandstothesewing，andhadinplacessewninbesidethegoldahairfromherhead，bothonthetwosleevesandonthecollartoseeandtoputtothetestwhethershecouldeverfindamanwhocoulddistinguishtheonefromtheother，howevercarefullyhelookedatit;forthehairwasasshiningandasgoldenasthegoldorevenmoreso。ThequeentakestheshirtandhasgivenittoAlexander。AhGod！howgreatjoywouldAlexanderhavehadifhehadknownwhatthequeenissendinghim。Verygreatjoywouldshetoohavehad，whohadsewnherhairthereifshehadknownthatherlovewastohaveandwearit。Muchcomfortwouldshehavehadthereof;forshewouldnothavelovedalltherestofherhairsomuchasthatwhichAlexanderhad。Butneitherhenorsheknewit：greatpityisitthattheydonotknow。Totheharbourwheretheyouthsarewashingcamethemessengerofthequeen;hefindstheyouthsonthebeachandhasgiventheshirttohim，whoismuchdelightedwithitandwhohelditallthedearerforthatitcamefromthequeen。Butifhehadknownthewholecasehewouldhaveloveditstillmore;forhewouldnothavetakenalltheworldinexchange，butratherhewouldhavetreateditasarelic，Ithink，andwouldhaveworshippeditdayandnight。
　　Alexanderdelaysnolongertoapparelhimselfstraightway。Whenhewascladandequippedhehasreturnedtothetentoftheking;
　　andallhiscomradestogetherwithhim。Thequeen，asIthink，hadcometositinthetentbecauseshewishedtoseethenewknightsarrive。Wellmightoneesteemthemfair;butfairestofallwasAlexanderwiththeagilebody。Theyarenowknights;forthepresentIsaynomoreaboutthem。HenceforthshallIspeakofthekingandofthehostwhichcametoLondon。Thegreaterpartofthefolkheldtohisside;butthereisagreatmultitudeofthemagainsthim。CountEngresmustershistroops，allthathecanwinovertohimbypromiseorbygift。Whenhehadgothismentogetherhehassecretlyfledbynight;forhewashatedbyseveralandfearedtobebetrayed;butbeforehefledhetookfromLondonasmuchashecouldofvictualsofgoldandofsilver，anddistributeditalltohisfolk。Thetidingsistoldtotheking——thatthetraitorisfled，andallhisarmywithhim，andthathehadtakensomuchofvictualsandgoodsfromthecitythattheburgessesareimpoverishedanddestituteandataloss。Andthekinghasrepliedjustthis：thatneverwillhetakeransomofthetraitor，butwillhanghimifhecanfindortakehim。NowallthehostbestirsitselfsomuchthattheyreachedWindsor。Atthatday，howeveritbenow，ifanyonewishedtodefendthecastle，itwouldnothavebeeneasytotake;forthetraitorencloseditassoonasheplannedthetreasonwithtreblewallsandmoats，andhadstrengthenedthewallsbehindwithsharpenedstakes，sothattheyshouldnotbethrowndownbyanysiege-engine。HehadspentgreatsumsinstrengtheningitallJuneandJulyandAugust，inmakingwalls，andbastions，andmoats，anddrawbridges，trenches，andbreast-works，andbarriers，andmanyaportcullisofiron，andagreattowerofstones，hewnfoursquare。Neverhadheshutthegatethereforfearofattack。ThecastlestandsonahighhillandbelowitrunsThames。Thehostisencampedontheriverbank;
　　onthatdaytheyhadtimefornoughtsaveencampingandpitchingtheirtents。
　　ThehosthasencampedonThames：allthemeadowiscoveredwithtents，greenandvermilion。Thesunstrikesonthecoloursandtheriverreflectstheirsheenformorethanafullleague。Thedefendersofthecastlehadcometotaketheirpleasurealongthestrandwiththeirlancesonlyintheirhands，theirshieldslockedcloseinfrontofthem，fortheyborenoarmsbutthese。
　　Totheirfoeswithouttheymadeitappearthattheyfearedthemnotatallinasmuchastheyhadcomeunarmed。Alexander，ontheotherside，perceivedtheknightswhogobeforethem，playingaknightlygameonhorseback。Hotishisdesiretomeetwiththem;
　　andhecallshiscomradesoneaftertheotherbytheirnames：
　　firstCornix，whomhegreatlyloved，thenthestoutLicorides，thenNabunalofMycenae，andAcoriondesofAthens，andFerolinofSalonica，andCalcedorfromtowardsAfrica，ParmenidesandFrancagel，TorintheStrong，andPinabel，Nerius，andNeriolis。
　　"Lords，"quothhe，"alonginghasseizedmetogoandmakewithlanceandwithshieldacquaintancewiththosewhocometotourneybeforeus。Iseefullwellthattheytakeusforlaggardsandesteemuslightly——soitseemstome——sincetheyhavecomehereallunarmedtotourneybeforeourfaces。Wehavebeennewlydubbedknights;wehavenotyetshownourmettletoknightsoratquintain。Toolonghavewekeptournewlancesvirgin。Whywereourshieldsmade？Notyethavetheybeenpiercedorbroken。Suchagiftavailsusnoughtsavefortourorforassault。Letuspasstheford，andletusattackthem。"Allsay："Wewillnotfailyou。"Eachonesays："SomayGodsaveme，asIamnotthemantofailyouhere。"Nowtheygirdontheirswords，saddleandgirththeirsteeds，mountandtaketheirshields。Whentheyhadhungtheshieldsfromtheirnecks，andtakenthelancesblazonedinquarterings;theyallatoncerushontotheford;andtheenemylowertheirlancesandridequicklytostrikethem。ButAlexanderandhiscomradesknewwellhowtopaythemback;andtheyneithersparethemnorshirknoryieldafootbeforethem;rathereachstrikeshisownfoesodoughtilythatthereisnoknightsogoodbuthemustvoidhissaddle-bow。TheGreeksdidnottakethemforboysforcowardsorformenbewildered。Theyhavenotwastedtheirfirstblows;fortheyhaveunhorsedthirteen。Thenoiseoftheirblowsandstrokeshasreachedasfarastothearmy。Inashorttimethemeleewouldhavebeendesperate，iftheenemyhaddaredtostandbeforethem。Theking’smenrunthroughthehosttotaketheirweapons，anddashintothewaternoisily，andtheenemyturntoflight;fortheyseethatitisnotgoodtostaythere。AndtheGreeksfollowthem，strikingwithlancesandswords。Manyheadstherewerecutopen;butoftheGreekstherewasnotasingleonewounded。Theyhaveprovedthemselveswellthatday。ButAlexanderwonthegreatestdistinction;forheleadsawayfourknightsboundtohispersonandtakenprisoners。