Andthedeadlieonthestrand;formanytherelayheadless，andmanywoundedandmaimed。
Alexanderfromcourtesygivesandpresentsthefirstfruitsofhisknighthoodtothequeen。Hedoesnotwishthatthekingshouldhavepossessionofthecaptives;forhewouldhavehadthemallhanged。Thequeenhashadthemtakenandhashadthemguardedinprisonasaccusedoftreason。MenspeakoftheGreeksthroughoutthearmy;allsaythatAlexanderisrightcourteousanddebonairasregardstheknightswhomhehadtakeninasmuchashehadnotgiventhemuptotheking，whowouldhavehadthemburnedorhanged。Butthekingisinearnestinthematter。
Forthwithhebidsthequeenthatshecomeandspeaktohimandkeepnothertraitors;foritwillbehovehertogivethemuporhewilltakethemagainstherwill。Thenthequeenhascometotheking;theyhavehadconversetogetheraboutthetraitorsasitbehovedthem;andalltheGreekshadbeenleftinthequeen’stentwiththeladies。Muchdothetwelvesaytothem，butAlexanderdoesnotsayaword。Soredamorsobservedit;shehadsatdownnearhim。Hehasrestedhischeekonhishand，anditseemsthatheisdeepinthought。ThushavetheysatfulllongtillSoredamorssawonhisarmandathisneckthehairwithwhichshehadmadetheseam。Shehasdrawnalittlenearerhim，fornowshehasopportunityofspeakingwithhim;butsheconsidersbeforehandhowshecanbetheonetospeak，andwhatthefirstwordshallbe;whethershewillcallhimbyhisname;
andshetakescounselofitwithherself。\"WhatshallIsayfirst？\"thinksshe。ShallIaddresshimbyhisname，oras’friend’。Friend？NotI。Howthen？Callhimbyhisname？God！Thewordfriendissofairandsosweettosay。WhatifIdaredtocallhimfriend？Dared？Whatforbidsitme？ThefactthatIthinkIshouldbetellingalie。Alie？Iknownotwhatitwillbe;butifIlieitwillbeaweightonmymind。ForthatreasonitmustbeallowedthatIshouldnotdesiretolieinthematter。God！Hewouldnotlienowawhitifhecalledmehissweetfriend。AndshouldIlieinsocallinghim？Bothofusoughtindeedtospeaktruth;butifIliethewrongwillbehis。AndwhyishisnamesohardtomethatIwishtoaddanameofcourtesy？Itseemstometherearetoomanylettersinit，andIshouldbecometongue-tiedinthemiddle。ButifIcalledhimfriend，Ishouldveryquicklysaythisname。ButjustbecauseIfeartostumbleintheothername，Iwouldhavegivenofmyheart’s-bloodifonlyhisnamemighthavebeen’mysweetfriend’。\"
Shedelayssolonginthusthinkingthatthequeenreturnsfromtheking，whohadsentforher。Alexanderseeshercoming，andgoestomeether，andasksherwhatthekingcommandstobedonewithhisprisoners，andwhatwillbetheirfate。\"Friend，\"saysshe，\"herequiresmetoyieldthemuptohisdiscretionandtolethimdohisjusticeonthem。HeisverywroththatIhavenotyetgiventhemuptohimandImustsendthem;forIseenootherwayout。\"Thustheyhavepassedthisday;andonthemorrowthegoodandloyalknightshaveassembledtogetherbeforetheroyaltenttopronouncejusticeandjudgmentastowithwhatpenaltyandwithwhattorturethefourtraitorsshoulddie。Somedoomthattheybeflayed，othersthattheybehangedorburnt，andthekinghimselfdeemsthattraitorsshouldbedrawn。Thenhebidsthembebrought：theyarebrought;hehasthembound，andtellsthemthattheyshallnotbequarteredtilltheyareinviewofthecastle，sothatthosewithinshallseethem。Whentheparleyisdone，thekingaddressesAlexanderandcallshimhisdearfriend。\"Friend，\"quothhe，\"Isawyouyesterdaymakeafairattackandafairdefence。Iwillgiveyouthedueguerdon：I
increaseyourfollowingby500Welshknightsandby1000footmenofthisland。WhenIshallhavefinishedmywar，inadditiontowhatIhavegivenyou，IwillhaveyoucrownedkingofthebestrealminWales。Market-townsandstrongcastles，citiesandhalls，willIgiveyou，meanwhile，tillthelandshallbegiventoyouwhichyourfatherholdsandofwhichyoumustbecomeemperor。\"Alexanderheartilythanksthekingforthisgrant;andhiscomradesthankhimlikewise。AllthebaronsoftheCourtsaythatthehonourwhichthekingdesignsforhimiswellvestedinAlexander。
WhenAlexanderseeshismenhiscomradesandhisfootmen，suchasthekingwilledtogivehim，thentheybegintosoundhornsandtrumpetsthroughoutthehost。Goodandbadall，Iwouldhaveyouknow，withoutexceptiontaketheirarms，thoseofWalesandofBrittanyofScotlandandofCornwall;forfromallsideswithoutfailstrongreinforcementshadcomeinforthehost。Thameshadshrunk;fortherehadbeennorainallthesummer;rathertherehadbeensuchadroughtthatthefishinitweredeadandtheshipsleakyintheharbour;andonecouldpassbythefordtherewherethewaterwaswidestofahairandhasdelightandjoyauncethereof;butthehosthascrossedThames;somebesetthevalleyandothersmounttheheight。Thedefendersofthecastleperceiveit，andseecomingthewondroushostwhichispreparingoutsidetooverthrowandtakethecastle;andtheypreparetodefendit。
Butbeforeanyattackismadethekinghasthetraitorsdraggedbyfourhorsesroundthecastle，throughthevalleys，andovermoundsandhillocks。CountEngresissoregrievedwhenheseesthosewhomhehelddeardraggedroundhiscastle;andtheothersweremuchdismayed;butforallthedismaythattheyfeelthereattheyhavenodesiretosurrender。Needsmusttheydefendthemselves;forthekingdisplaysopenlytoallhisdispleasureandhiswrath;andfullwelltheyseethatifheheldthemhewouldmakethemdieshamefully。
Whenthefourhadbeendrawnandtheirlimbslayo’erthefield，thentheattackbegins;butalltheirtoilisvain;forhowsoevertheymayhurlandthrowtheirmissiles，theycanavailnought。
Andyettheytryhard;theythrowandhurlathickcloudofboltsandjavelinsanddarts。Thecatapultsandslingsmakeagreatdinonallsides;arrowsandroundstoneflylikewiseinconfusionasthickasrainmingledwithhail。Thustheytoilallday：thesedefend，andthoseattackuntilnightseparatesthem，onefromtheother，norneedtheytroubletoflee，nordotheysee。Andthekingonhisparthasitcriedthroughthehostandmadeknownwhatgiftthatmanwillhaveofhimbywhomthecastleshallhavebeentaken：agobletofverygreatprice，worthfifteengoldenmarks，therichestinhistreasure，willhegivehim。Thegobletwillbeveryfairandrich;andhewhosejudgementgoesnotastrayoughttoholditdearerfortheworkmanshipthanforthematerial。Thegobletisverypreciousinworkmanship，andifI
weretodisclosethewholetruth，thejewelsontheoutsidewereworthmorethantheworkmanshiporthegold。Ifhebywhomthecastlewillbetakenisbutafootsoldier，heshallhavethecup。Andifitistakenbyaknight，nevershallheseekanyrewardbesidesthecup;buthewillhaveitifitcanbefoundintheworld。WhenthismatterwasproclaimedAlexander，whowenteacheveningtoseethequeen，hadnotforgottenhiscustom。Onthiseveninghehadagaingonethither;theywereseatedsidebyside，bothAlexanderandthequeen。BeforethemSoredamorswassittingalonenearesttothem;andshelookedathimasgladlyasthoughshewouldnothavepreferredtobeinParadise。ThequeenheldAlexanderbyhisrighthand，andlookedatthegoldenthreadwhichhadbecomegreatlytarnished;andthehairwasbecomingyetfairerwhereasthegoldthreadwasgrowingpale;andsherememberedbychancethatSoredamorshaddonethestitchingandshelaughedthereat。Alexanderobserveditandasksher，ifitmaybetold，totellhimwhatmakesherlaugh。Thequeendelaystotellhim，andlookstowardsSoredamors，andhascalledherbeforeher。Shehascomeverygladlyandkneelsbeforeher。
Alexanderwasmuchjoyedwhenhesawherapproachsonearthathecouldhavetouchedher;buthehasnotsomuchcourageastodareeventolookather;butallhissenseshavesolefthimthathehasalmostbecomedumb。Andshe，ontheotherhand，issobewilderedthatshehasnouseofhereyes，butfixeshergazeontheground，anddaresnotdirectitelsewhere。Thequeengreatlymarvels;sheseeshernowpale，nowflushed，andnoteswellinherheartthebearingandappearanceofeachandofthetwotogether。Sheseesclearlyandtruly，itseemstoher，judgingbythechangesofcolour，thatthesearesignsoflove;butshedoesnotwishtocausethemanguish：shefeignstoknownothingofwhatshesees。Shedidjustwhatitbehovedhertodo;forshegavenolookorhintsavethatshesaidtothemaiden：\"Damsel，lookyonderandtell——hideitnotfromus——wheretheshirtthatthisknighthasdonnedwassewn，andwhetheryouhadahandinit，andputinitsomewhatofyours？\"Themaidenisashamedtosayit;nevertheless，shetellsittohimgladly;forshewishesthatheshouldhearthetruth;andhehassuchjoyofhearingitwhenshetellsanddescribestohimthemakingoftheshirt，thatwithgreatdifficultyherestrainshimselfwhenheseesthehairfromworshippinganddoingreverencetoit。Hiscomradesandthequeen，whoweretherewithhim，causehimgreatdistressandannoyance;foronaccountofthemherefrainsfromraisingittohiseyesandtohislipswherehewouldfainhavepresseditifhehadnotthoughtthattheywouldseehim。Heisblithethathehassomuchofhislady-love;buthedoesnotthinkorexpecttohaveeveranyotherboonofher。Hisdesiremakeshimfear;
nevertheless，whenheisalonehekissesitmorethanahundredthousandtimeswhenhehasleftthequeen。Nowitseemstohimthathewasborninaluckyhour。Verygreatjoydoeshehaveofitallnight，buthetakesgoodcarethatnooneseeshim。Whenhehaslaindowninhisbed，hedelightsandconsoleshimselffruitlesslywiththatinwhichthereisnodelight;allnightheembracestheshirt，andwhenhebeholdsthehairhethinksheislordofalltheworld。TrulyLovemakesawisemanafool：sincehehasjoy，hewillchangehispastimebeforethebrightdawnandthesunlight。Thetraitorsareholdingcounselastowhattheywillbeabletodoandwhatwillbecomeofthem。Longtimetheywillbeabletodefendthecastle;thatisacertaintyiftheyapplythemselvestothedefence;buttheyknowthatthekingisofsofierceacouragethatinallhislifehewillneverturnawayuntilhehastakenit;thentheymustneedsdie。Andiftheysurrenderthecastletheyexpectnograceforthat。Thustheonelotortheother;ithasfallenoutillforthem;fortheyhavenoreinforcement，andtheyseedeathonallsides。Buttheendoftheirdeliberationisthatto-morrow，beforedayappears，theyresolvetoissueforthsecretlyfromthecastle，andtofallonthehostunarmed，andtheknightsasleep，sincetheywillstillbelyingintheirbeds。Beforethesehaveawakened，apparelledandequipped，themselves，theywillhavemadesuchslaughterthateverhereaftershallberelatedthebattleofthatnight。Tothisplanallthetraitorsclingfromdesperation，fortheyhavenoconfidenceastotheirlives。Lackofhopeastotheoutcomeemboldensthemtothebattle，fortheyseenoissueforthemselvesexceptthroughdeathorprison。Suchanissueisnowholesomeone，norneedtheytroubletoflee，nordotheyseewheretheycouldfindrefugeiftheyshouldhavefled;fortheseaandtheirenemiesarearoundthem，andtheyinthemidst。Nolongerdotheytarryattheircouncil：nowtheyapparelandarmthemselves，andissueforthtowardsthenorth-westbyanancientposterntowardsthatsidewhencetheythoughtthatthoseofthehostwouldleastexpecttoseethemcome。Inserriedrankstheysalliedforth：oftheirmentheymadefivebattalions;andtherewerenolessthantwothousandfoot-soldierswellequippedforbattleandathousandknightsineach。Thisnightneitherstarnormoonhadshownitsraysinthesky;butbeforetheyhadreachedthetentsthemoonbegantorise，and，Ibelievethatjusttovexthem，itroseearlierthanitwaswont;andGodwhowishedtoinjurethemlitupthedarknight，forHehadnocareoftheirarmy;ratherHehatedthemfortheirsinwithwhichtheyweretaintedfortraitorsandtreasonwhichGodhatesmorethananyothercrime;sothemoonbegantoshinebecauseitwasdoomedtoinjurethem。
Themoonwasveritablyhostiletothem;foritshoneontheirglitteringshields;andthehelmetslikewisegreatlyembarrassthem，fortheyreflectthelightofthemoonforthesentrieswhoweresettoguardthehostseethem;andtheycrythroughoutallthehost：\"Up，knights！Up，risequickly！Takeyourarms，armyourselves！Beholdthetraitorsuponus！\"Throughallthehosttheyspringtoarms;theyrousethemselvesanddonwithhastetheirharness，asmenmustdoincaseofstress。Neverdidasingleoneofthemstirforthtilltheywerefullyequipped;andallmountedontheirsteeds。Whiletheyarearming，theenemy，ontheotherhand，whogreatlydesirethebattle，arebestirringthemselves，sothattheymaytakethemunawaresandlikewisefindthemunarmed;andtheysendforththeirmenwhomtheyhaddividedintofivebands。Somekeptbesidethewood;otherscamealongtheriver;thethirdplacedthemselvesintheplain;andthefourthwereinavalley;andthefifthbattalionspursalongthemoatthatsurroundedarock，fortheythoughttoswoopdownimpetuouslyamongthetents。Buttheyhavenotfoundaroadthattheycouldfollow，orawaythatwasnotbarred;fortheking’smenblocktheirwayastheyveryproudlydefythemandreproachthemwithtreason。Theyengagewiththeironheadsoftheirlances，sothattheysplinterandbreakthem;theycometoclosequarterswithswords;andchampionstrikeschampiontothegroundandmakeshimbitethedust;eachsidestrikesdownitsfoes，andasfiercelyaslionsdevouringwhatsoevertheycanseizerushontheirprey;sofiercelydotheyrushontheirfoe——aye，andmorefiercely。Onbothsides，ofatruth，therewasverygreatlossoflifeatthatfirstattack;butreinforcementscomeforthetraitors，whodefendthemselvesveryfiercely，andselltheirlivesdearwhentheycankeepthemnolonger。Onfoursidestheyseetheirbattalionscomingtosuccourthem;andtheking’smengallopuponthemasfastastheycanspur。Theyrushtodealthemsuchblowsontheshields，thattogetherwiththewoundedtheyhaveoverthrownmorethanfivehundredofthem。TheGreekssparethemnotatall。Alexanderisnotidle，forheexertshimselftoactbravely。Inthethickestofthefrayherushessoimpetuouslytosmiteatraitor，thatneithershieldnorhauberkavailedonewhittosavethattraitorfrombeingthrowntotheground。WhenAlexanderhasmadeatrucewithhimforsooth，hepayshisattentionstoanother——attentionsinwhichhedoesnotwasteorlosehispains。Heserveshiminsuchvaliantsortthatherendshissoulfromhisbody;andthehouseremainswithoutatenant。
AfterthesetwoAlexanderpicksaquarrelwithathird：hestrikesarightnoblecourtknightthroughbothflanksinsuchwisethatthebloodgushesoutofthewoundontheoppositeside;
andthesoultakesleaveofthebody，forthefoemanhasbreatheditforth。Manyaonehekills;manyaonehemaims;forliketheforkedlightningheattacksallthosethatheseeksout。
Himwhomhestrikeswithlanceorsword，neithercorseletnorshieldprotects。Hiscomradesalsoareverylavishinspillingbloodandbrains;welldotheyknowhowtodealtheirblows。Andtheking’smencutdownsomanythattheybreakandscatterthemlikecommonfolkdistraught。Somanydeadlieo’erthefieldsandsolonghasthescourlasted，thatthebattle-arraywasbrokenupalongwhilebeforeitwasday;andthelineofdeaddownalongtheriverextendedfiveleagues。CountEngresleaveshisstandardinthebattleandstealsaway;andhehastakensevenofhiscompanionstogetherwithhim。Hehasreturnedtowardshiscastlebysohiddenawaythathethinksthatnoonesees;butAlexandermarkshim;forheseesthemfleefromthehost，andthinkstostealawayandmeetthem，sothatnoonewillknowwherehehasgone。Butbeforehewasinthevalleyhesawasmanyasthirtyknightscomingafterhimalongapath，sixofwhomwereGreeks，andtheotherfour-and-twentyWelsh;fortheythoughtthattheywouldfollowhimatadistanceuntilitshouldcometothepinch。
WhenAlexanderperceivedthemhestoppedtowait，andmarkswhichwaythosewhoarereturningtothecastletakeuntilheseesthementer。Thenhebeginstomeditateonaveryhazardousventureandonaverywondrousstratagem。Andwhenhehadfinishedallhisthinking，heturnstowardshiscomrades，andthushasrelatedandsaidtothem：\"Lords，\"quothhe，\"withoutgainsayingme，ifyewishtohavemylove，whetheritbepromptedbyfollyorwisdom，grantmemywish。\"Andtheyhavegrantedit;forneverwilltheyrefusehimanythingthathemaychoosetodo。\"Letuschangeourinsignia，\"quothhe;\"letustakeshieldsandlancesfromthetraitorsthatwehaveslain。Thusweshallgotowardsthecastle，andthetraitorswithinwillthinkthatweareoftheirparty，andwhatevertherequitalmaybethedoorswillbeopenedtous。
Knowyeinwhatwiseweshallrequitethem？WeshalltakethemallordeadorlivingifGodgrantitus;andifanyofyourepentyouknowthataslongasIlive，Ishallneverlovehimwithagoodheart。\"
Allgranthimhiswill：theygoandseizetheshieldsfromtheDead;andtheyarrivewiththisequipment。Andthefolkofthecastlehadmountedtothebattlementsofthetower，fortheyrecognisedtheshieldsfullwellandthinkthattheybelongtotheirownmen;fortheywereunsuspiciousoftheambushwhichlurksbeneaththeshields。Theporteropensthedoortothemandhasreceivedthemwithin。Heissobeguiledanddeceivedthathedoesnotaddressthematall;andnotoneofthembreathesaword，buttheypassonmuteandsilent，feigningsuchgriefthattheydragtheirlancesbehindthemandbendbeneaththeirshields，sothatitseemsthattheyaresorrowinggreatly;andtheygoinwhateverdirectiontheywishuntiltheyhavepassedthethreewalls。Upyondertheyfindsomanyfoot-soldiersandknightswiththecount，Icannottellyouthenumberofthem;buttheywereallunarmedexcepttheeightalone，whohadreturnedfromthearmy;andtheseevenwerepreparingtotakeofftheirarmour。Buttheymightwellproveover-hasty;forthosewhohavecomeuponthemupyondernolongerhidthemselves，butputtheirsteedstothegallop。Allpressontheirstirrupsandfalluponthemandattackthem，sothattheystrikedeadthirty-and-onebeforetheyhavegiventhechallenge。Thetraitorsaremuchdismayedthereatandcry，\"Betrayed！Betrayed！\"ButAlexanderandhisfriendsarenotconfused;forassoonastheyfindthemallunarmedtheytesttheirswordswellthere。Eventhreeofthosewhomtheyfoundarmedhavetheysoservedthattheyhaveonlyleftfive。CountEngreshasrushedforward，andbeforetheeyesofallgoestostrikeCalcedoronhisgoldenshield，sothathethrowshimtothegrounddead。Alexanderismuchgrievedwhenheseeshiscomradeslain;hewell-nighgoesmadwiththefurythatcomesuponhim。Hisreasonisdimmedwithanger，buthisstrengthandcouragearedoubled，andhegoestostrikethecountwithsuchamightyforcethathislancebreaks;forwillingly，ifhecould，wouldheavengethedeathofhisfriend。Butthecountwasofgreatstrength，agoodandboldknighttoboot，suchthattherewouldnothavebeenabetterintheworldifhehadnotbeendisloyalandatraitor。Thecount，onhisside，preparestogivehimsuchablowthathebendshislance，sothatitaltogethersplintersandbreaks;buttheshielddoesnotbreakandtheoneknightdoesnotshaketheotherfromhisseatanymorethanhewouldhaveshakenarock，forbothwereverystrong。
Butthefactthatthecountwasinthewrongmightilyvexesandweakenshim。Theonegrowsfuriousagainsttheother，andbothhavedrawntheirswords，sincetheyhadbrokentheirlances。Andtherewouldhavebeennoescapeifthesetwochampionshadwishedfurthertoprolongthefight;oneortheotherwouldhavehadtodieforthwithattheend。Butthecountdoesnotdaretostandhisground，forheseeshismenslainaroundhim，who，beingunarmed，weretakenunawares。Andtheking’smenpursuethemfiercely，andhackandhew，andcleave，andbrainthem，andcallthecountatraitor。Whenhehearshimselfaccusedoftreason，hefleesforrefugetowardshiskeep;andhismenfleewithhim。Andtheirenemieswhofiercelyrushaftertakethemcaptive;theyletnotasingleoneescapeofallthosethattheycatch。TheykillandslaysomanythatIdonotthinkthatmorethansevenreachedaplaceofsafety。Whenthetraitorsenteredthekeep，theyarestayedattheentrance;fortheirpursuershadfollowedthemsoclosethattheirmenwouldhavegotiniftheentrancehadbeenopen。Thetraitorsdefendthemselveswell;fortheyexpectsuccourfromthemwhowerearminginthetownbelow。ButbytheadviceofNabunal，aGreekwhowasverywise，thewaywasheldagainstthereinforcements，sothattheycouldnotcomeintime，fortheyhadtarriedover-longfromlukewarmnessandindolence。
Upthereintothatfortresstherewasonlyonesingleentry;iftheGreeksstopupthatentrance，theywillhavenoneedtofearthecomingofanyforcefromwhichillmaybefallthem。Nabunalbidsandexhortsthattwentyofthemgotodefendtheoutergateway;foreasilytheremighttheypressinthatwaytoattackandoverwhelmthem——foemenwhowoulddothemharmiftheyhadstrengthandpowertodoso。\"Letascoreofmengotodefendthegateway，andlettheothertenassailthekeepfromwithout，sothatthecountmaynotshuthimselfupinside。\"ThisiswhatNabunaladvises：thetenremaininthemeleebeforetheentranceofthekeep;thescoregotothegate。Theyhavedelayedalmosttoolong;fortheyseecomingacompany，flushedandheatedwithdesireoffighting，inwhichthereweremanycrossbow-menandfoot-soldiersofdiversequipment，bearingdiversearms。Somecarriedlightmissiles，andothers，Danishaxes，Turkishlancesandswords，arrowsanddartsandjavelins。VeryheavywouldhavebeenthereckoningthattheGreekswouldhavehadtopay，peradventure，ifthiscompanyhadcomeuponthem，buttheydidnotcomeintime。BythewisdomandbytheprudenceofNabunal，theyforestalledthemandkeptthemwithout。Whenthereinforcementsseethattheyareshutout，thentheyremainidle，fortheyseewellthatbyattackingtheywillbeabletoaccomplishnoughtinthematter。Thenthererisesamourningandacryofwomenandoflittlechildren，ofoldmenandofyouths，sogreatthatifithadthunderedfromtheskythosewithinthecastlewouldnothaveheardaughtofit。TheGreeksgreatlyrejoicethereat;fornowtheyallknowofasuretythatneverbyanychancewillthecountescapebeingtaken。Theybidfourofthemmountinhastetothebattlementsofthewalltoseethatthosewithoutdonotfromanyquarter，byanystratagemortrick，pressintothecastletoattackthem。Thesixteenhavereturnedtothetenwhoarefighting。Nowwasitbrightdaylight，andnowthetenhadforcedtheirwayintothekeep，andthecount，armedwithanaxe，hadtakenhisstandbesideapillarwherehedefendshimselfrightfiercely。Hecleavesasunderallwhocomewithinhisreach。Andhisfollowersrangethemselvesnearhim;intheirlastday’sworktheytakesuchgoodvengeancethattheysparenottheirstrengthatall。Alexander’sknightslamentthattherewerenomorethanthirteenofthemleftthoughevennowthereweretwenty-and-six。Alexanderwell-neighraveswithfurywhenheseessuchhavocamonghismenwhoarethuskilledandwounded，butheisnotslowtorevenge。Hehasfoundathand，byhisside，alongandheavybeam，andgoestostriketherewithatraitor;andneitherthefoeman’sshieldnorhauberkavailedhimawhitagainstbeingbornetotheground。Afterhim，heattacksthecount;inordertostrikewellheraisesthebeam;andhedealshimsuchablowwithhissquare-hewnbeamthattheaxefallsfromhishands;andhewassostunnedandsoweak，thatifhehadnotleanedagainstthewallhisfeetwouldnothavesupportedhim。
Withthisblowthebattleceases。Alexanderleapstowardsthecountandseizeshiminsuchwisethathecannotmove。Noneedistheretotellmoreoftheothers，foreasilyweretheyvanquishedwhentheysawtheirlordtaken。Theycapturethemallwiththecountandleadthemawayindireshameevenastheyhaddeserved。
Ofallthis，KingArthur’shostwhowerewithout，knewnotaword;butinthemorningwhenthebattlewasendedtheyhadfoundtheirshieldsamongthebodies;andtheGreekswereraisingaveryloudlamentationfortheirlordbutwrongly。Onaccountofhisshieldwhichtheyrecognisetheyoneandallmakegreatmourning，andswoonoverhisshield，andsaythattheyhavelivedtoolong。CornixandNeriusswoon;andwhentheycometothemselvestheyblametheirlivesforbeingyetwholeinthem。
AndsodoTorinsandAcoriondes;thetearsraninstreamsfromtheireyesrightontotheirbreasts。Lifeandjoyarebutvexationtothem。AndaboveallParmenideshasdishevelledandtornhishair。Thesefivemakesogreatamourningfortheirlordthatgreatertherecannotbe。Buttheydisquietthemselvesinvain;insteadofhim，theyarebearingawayanother;andyettheythinkthattheyarebearingawaytheirlord。Theothershieldstoocausethemmuchsorrowbyreasonwhereoftheythinkthatthebodiesarethoseoftheircomrades;andtheyswoonandlamentoverthem。Buttheshieldslieoneandall;foroftheirmentherewasbutoneslainwhowasnamed，Neriolis。Himtrulywouldtheyhaveborneawayhadtheyknownthetruth。Buttheyareinasgreatdistressabouttheothersasabouthim;andtheyhaveborneandtakenthemall。Aboutallbutonetheyaremistaken;butevenlikeamanwhodreams，whobelievesalieinsteadoftruth，theshieldsmadethembelievethatthisliewastrue。Theyaredeceivedbytheshields。Theyhavesetoutwiththebodiesoftheslain，andhavecometotheirtentswherethereweremanyfolklamenting;butoneandalloftheothersjoinedinthelamenttheGreeksweremaking。Therewasagreatrallytotheirmourning。
NowSoredamors，whohearsthewailingandthelamentforherfriend，thinksandbelievesthatshewasborninanevilhour。
Foranguishandgriefshelosesmemoryandcolour;andthisitisthatgrievesandwoundshermuch，butshedarenotopenlyshowhergrief;shehashiddenhermourninginherheart。Andyet，ifanyonehadmarkedit，hewouldhaveseenbyhercountenanceandbyheroutersemblance，thatshesufferedgreatpainandsorrowofbody;buteachonehadenoughtodotoutterhisowngriefandreckednoughtofanother’s。Eachwaslamentinghisownsorrow;
fortheyfindtheirkinsmenandtheirfriendsinevilcase;fortheriver-bankwascoveredwiththem。Eachlamentedhisownlosswhichisheavyandbitter。Therethesonweepsforthefather，andherethefatherfortheson;thismanisswooningoverhiscousin，andthisother，overhisnephew;thusineachplacetheylament，fathersandbrothersandkinsmen。ButconspicuousaboveallisthelamentthattheGreeksweremakingalthoughtheymight，withjustice，expectgreatjoy;forthegreatestmourningofallthehostwillsoonturntojoy。
TheGreeksareraisinggreatlamentationwithout;andthosewhoarewithinareatgreatpainshowtoletthemhearthatwhereoftheywillhavemuchjoy。Theydisarmandbindtheirprisonerswhobegandpraythemtotakenowtheirheads;buttheking’smendonotwillordeigntodothis。Rather，theysaythattheywillkeepthemuntiltheydeliverthemtotheking，whothenwillgivethemtheirdue，sothattheirmeritswillberequited。Whentheyhaddisarmedthemalltheyhavemadethemmountthebattlementsinordertoshowthemtotheirfolkbelow。Muchdoesthiskindnessdispleasethem;sincetheysawtheirlordtakenandboundtheywerenotawhitglad。Alexander，fromthewallabove，swearsbyGodandthesaintsoftheworldthatneverwillheletasingleoneofthemlive，butwillkillthemall;andnoneshallstayhishandiftheydonotallgotoyieldthemselvesuptothekingbeforehecantakethem。\"Go，\"quothhe，\"Ibidyoutomylordwithoutfail，andplaceyourselvesathismercy。Noneofyousavethecountherehasdeserveddeath。Nevershallyeloselimborlifeifyeplaceyourselvesathismercy。Ifyedonotredeemyourselvesfromdeathmerelybycrying’Mercy’，verylittleconfidencecanyehaveinyourlivesorinyourbodies。Issueforth，alldisarmed，tomeetmylord，theking，andtellhimfromme，thatAlexandersendsyou。Yewillnotloseyourpains;fortheking，mylord，willremitforyouallhiswrathandindignation，sogentleanddebonairishe。Andifyewilldootherwise，yewillhavetodie;forneverwillpityforyouseizehim。\"Allofthemtogetherbelievethiscounsel;theydonotstoptilltheyreachtheking’stent;andtheyhaveallfallenathisfeet。Nowisitknownthroughoutthehostwhattheyhavetoldandrelated。Thekingmounts，andallhavemountedwithhim;andtheycomespurringtothecastle，fornolongerdotheydelay。
Alexanderissuesforthfromthecastletowardsthekingtowhomhissightwaswellpleasing;andhehasyieldeduptohimthecount。Andthekinghasnolongerdelayedtodojusticeonhimimmediately;buthegreatlypraisesandextolsAlexander;andalltherestgreethimwithceremonyandpraiseandextolhimloudly。
Thereisnonewhodoesnotmanifestjoy。Themourningthattheywereformerlymakingyieldstojoy;butnojoycanbecomparedwiththatoftheGreeks。Thekingbidsthemgivehimthecupwhichwasverymagnificentandworthfifteenmarks;andhetellsandassureshimthatthereisnoughthoweverdear，savethecrownandthequeen，thathewillnotyieldtohimifhewilltoaskit。Alexanderdaresnotutterhisdesireinthismatter，yetknowswellthatthekingwouldnotdisappointhimifheaskedforhislady-love;buthegreatlyfearsthathemightdispleaseher，whowouldhavehadgreatjoythereat;forratherdoeshewishgriefforhimselfwithoutherthantohaveherwithoutherwill。
Thereforehebegsandrequestsarespite;forhedoesnotwishtomakehisrequesttillheknowherpleasureinthematter;buthehassoughtneitherrespitenordelayinpossessinghimselfofthegoldencup。HetakesthecupandgenerouslyentreatsmyLordGawainuntilheacceptsthiscupfromhim;butwithexceedinggreatreluctancehasthatknightacceptedit。WhenSoredamorshasheardthetruenewsaboutAlexandermuchdiditpleaseanddelighther。Whensheknewthatheisaliveshehassuchjoythereof，thatitseemstohernevercanshehavegriefforanhour;buttoolongitseemstoherdoeshetarrytocomeasheiswont。Soonshewillhavewhatshedesires;forthetwoviewitheachotherintheiryearningforthesamething。
Alexandergreatlylongedtobeabletofeasthiseyesonherifonlywithonesweetlook。Alreadyforalongtimewouldhefainhavecometothequeen’stentifhehadnotbeenkeptelsewhere。
Delaydispleasedhimmuch，sosoonaseverhecouldhecametothequeeninhertent。Thequeenhasmethim;forsheknewmuchofhisthoughtwithouthiseverhavingspoken;butwellhadsheperceivedit。Asheentersthetentshesaluteshimandtakespainstogreethimwithdueceremony;wellsheknowswhatoccasionbringshim。BecauseshewishestoservehimtohislikingsheputsSoredamorsbyhisside;andtheythreewerealoneconversingfarfromtheothers。Thequeenisthefirsttobegin;
forshehadnodoubtatallthattheylovedeachother，heher，andshehim。WellshethinkstoknowitforacertaintyandisconvincedthatSoredamorscouldnothaveabetterlover。Shewasseatedbetweenthemandbeginsadiscoursewhichcameaptlyandinseason。
\"Alexander，\"quoththequeen，\"Loveisworsethanhatred，foritgrievesandbewildersitsdevotee。Loversknownotwhattheydowhentheonehideshisfeelingsfromtheother。InLovethereismuchgrievoustoil：hewhodoesnotmakeaboldbeginninginthelayingofthefoundationcanscarceputonthecoping-stone。Thesayinggoesthatthereisnothingsodifficulttocrossasthethreshold。IwishtoinstructyouaboutLove;forwellIknowthatLoveisusingyoubadly。ForthisreasonhaveItakenyoutotask;andtakecarethatyouconcealnoughtofitfromme，forclearlyhaveIseenfromthecountenancesofeach，thatoftwoheartsyouhavemadeone。Neverseektohideitfromme。Youactveryfoolishlyinthatthetwainofyoutellnotyourthoughts;
foryouarekillingeachotherbythisconcealment;youwillbeLove’smurderers。Now，Icounselyouthatyouseeknottosatisfyyourlovebyrapeorbylust。Uniteyourselvesinhonourablemarriage。Thusasitseemstomeyourlovewilllastlong。I
venturetoassureyouofthis，thatifyouhaveamindforitI
willbringaboutthemarriage。\"
WhenthequeenhaddisburdenedherheartAlexanderonhissidedisclosedhis。\"Lady，\"quothhe，\"Idenynoughtwhereofyouchargeme;ratherdoIquiteadmitallthatyousay。NeverdoI
seektobefreefromLove，soasnotalwaystodevotemyselftoit。Thisthatyouofyourpityhavetoldmegreatlypleasesanddelightsme。Sinceyouknowmywill，IknownotwhyIshouldanylongerconcealitfromyou。VerylongagoifIhaddaredIwouldhaveconfessedit;fortheconcealmenthaspainedmemuch。ButperhapsthismaidenwouldinnowisewillthatIshouldbehers，andshemine。Ifshegrantsmenoughtofherself，yetstillI
givemyselftoher。\"Atthesewordsshetrembled;andshedoesnotrefusethisgift。Shebetraysthewishofherheartbothinwordsandlooks;fortremblingshegivesherselftohim，andsaysthatneverwillshemakeanyreservationofwillorheartorperson;butwillbewhollyatthequeen’scommandandwilldoallherpleasure。Thequeenembracesthembothandgivestheonetotheother。Laughing，shesays：\"Iyieldtothee，Alexander，thebodyofthylove。WellIknowthatthouartnotalarmedthereat。
Letwhowilllookaskancethereat;Igiveyoutheonetotheother。Hold，thou，whatisthine，andthou，Alexander，whatisthine。\"Shehaswhatishers，andhe，whatishis;he，allofher，andshe，allofhim。ThebetrothaltookplacethatverydayatWindsor，withoutadoubtwiththeconsentandpermissionofmyLordGawainandtheking。Nonecouldtell，Iween，ofthemagnificenceandfeasting，ofthejoyandpleasuresogreatthatattheweddingtherewouldnothavebeenmore。Butinasmuchasitwoulddispleasemostpeople，Iwillnotwasteorspendonewordthereon，forIwishtoapplymyselftothetellingofsomethingbetter。
OnonedayatWindsorhadAlexandersomuchhonourandjoyaspleasedhim。Threejoysandthreehonourshehad：Onewasforthecastlethathetook;thesecond，forthatwhichKingArthurpromisedthathewouldgivehimwhenthewarwasended——thebestrealminWales——thatdayArthurmadehimkinginhishalls。Thegreatestjoywasthethirdbecausehislady-lovewasqueenofthechessboardwhereofhewasking。BeforefivemonthswerepassedSoredamorswasgreatwithhumanseedandgrain;andsheboreittillhertime。Suchwastheseedinitsgermthatthefruitcameaccordingtoitskind。Afairerchildtherecouldnotbe，beforeorafter。TheycalledthechildCliges。
BornwasCliges，inmemoryofwhomthisstorywasputintoFrench。Yeshallhearmetellfullyandrelateofhimandofhisknightlyservice，whenheshallhavecometosuchanage，thathewillbedestinedtogrowinfame。ButmeanwhileithappenedinGreecethattheemperorwhoruledConstantinoplecametohisend。
Hewasdead;heneedsmustdie，forhecouldnotpassthetermappointed。ButbeforehisdeathheassembledallthehighbaronsofhislandinordertosendandfetchAlexander，hisson，whowasinBritainwhererightwillinglyhetarried。ThemessengersdepartfromGreece;o’ertheseatheytaketheirvoyage;andthereatempestovertakesthemwhichsorelydistressestheirshipandtheirfolk。Theywerealldrownedintheseasaveonetreacherousfellow，arenegade，wholovedAlis，theyoungerson，morethanAlexander，theelder。WhenhehadescapedfromtheseahehasreturnedtoGreece;andrelatedthattheyhadallbeendrownedinastormontheseawhentheywerereturningfromBritain;andwerebringingawaytheirlord;notoneofthemhadescapedsavehe，only，fromthestormandtheperil。Hislyingtalewasbelieved。UnopposedandunchallengedtheytakeAlisandcrownhim：theygivetohimtheempireofGreece。ButitwasnotlongereAlexanderknewforacertaintythatAliswasemperor。
ForthwithhehastakenleaveofKingArthur;forbynomeanswillheresignhislandtohisbrotherwithoutafight。Thekinginnowisedetershimfromtheplan;ratherhebidshimleadawaywithhimsogreatamultitudeofWelshScotsandCornishmen，thathisbrotherwillnotdaretostandhisgroundwhenheshallseethehostassembled。Alexandermighthaveledawayagreatforcehadhewilled。Buthehasnocaretodestroyhispeopleifhisbrotherwillanswerhiminsuchwiseastoperformhispromise。
HeledawayfortyknightsandSoredamorsandhisson。Thesetwowouldhenotleavebehind;fortheyweremeettobegreatlyloved。TheysailedfromShorehamwheretheytookleaveofthewholecourt;theyhadfairwinds;theshipranmuchmoreswiftlythanafleeingstag。Beforethemonthhadpassed，Iween，theycametoanchorbeforeAthens，acityverymagnificentandstrong。
Theemperor，insooth，wasstayinginthecity;andtherewasagreatgatheringthereofthehighbaronsoftheland。AssoonastheywerearrivedAlexandersendsatrustedservantintothecitytoknowifhecouldhaveafittingwelcomethereoriftheywilldenythatheistheirrightfullord。
ThebearerofthismessagewasacourteousandprudentknightwhommencalledAcorionde，amanofwealthandeloquence;andhewasmuchesteemedintheland，forhewasanativeofAthens。
>Fromofoldhisforbearshadalwayshadveryhighlordshipinthecity。WhenhehadheardtoldthattheemperorwasinthecityhegoestocontendwithhimforthecrownonbehalfofAlexander，hisbrother;andhecannotpardonhimforthathehaskeptitunjustly。Straightintothepalacehashecome;andfindsmanyaonewhogreetshimfair;buthegivesnoanswernordoeshesayawordtoanymanwhogreetshim;ratherhewaitsuntilhemayhearwhatwillandwhatmindtheyhavetowardtheirtruelord。Hedoesnotstoptillhereachestheemperor;hegreetshimnot，norbowstohim，norcallshimemperor。\"Alis，\"quothhe，\"IbeartheeamessagefromAlexanderwhoisoutyonderinthisharbour。Hearwhatwordthybrothersendstothee：Heasksoftheewhatishisandseeksnoughtthatiscontrarytojustice。Constantinoplewhichthouholdestoughttobehis;andwillbehis。Neitherreasonablenorrightwoulditbethatthereshouldbediscord’twixtyoutwain。Takemycounsel，andcometotermswithhim，andgivehimtheCrowninpeace;foritisrightmeetthatthouyieldittohim。\"
Alisreplies：\"Fairsweetfriend，thouhasttakenonthyselfafoolisherrandinthatthouhastbroughtthismessage。Nocomforthastthoubroughttome，forIknowwellthatmybrotherisdead。
ItwouldbeagreatconsolationtomeifhewerealiveandIknewit。NeverwillIbelieveittillIseehim。Heisdeadawhileago;andthatisagrieftome。NotawordthatthousayestdoI
believe。Andifheisalivewhereforecomeshenot？NeverneedhefearthatIwillnotgivehimlandinplenty。Heismadifhekeepsalooffromme;andifheservemehewillneverbetheworseforit。Neverwilltherebeanymanthatwillholdthecrownandtheempireagainstme。\"Acoriondehearsthattheemperor’sreplyisnotfavourable;butbynofearishewithheldfromspeakinghismind。\"Alis，\"quothhe，\"mayGodconfoundmeifthematterisleftthus。Onthybrother’sbehalfIdefythee，andonhisbehalf，asismeet，IexhortallthosethatIseeheretoleavetheeandcomeovertohisside。Itismeetthattheycleavetohim;himoughttheytomaketheirlord。Hewhoisloyal，letnowhisloyaltyappear。\"
Withthiswordheleavesthecourt;andtheemperor，onhisside，summonsthoseinwhomhemosttrusts。Fromthemheseekscounselastohisbrotherwhothuschallengeshim，andseekstoknowifhecanfullytrustthemnottogivesupportoraidtohiminthisattack。Thushehopestoproveeachone;buthefindsnotevenonetocleavetohimwithregardtothewar;ratherdotheybidhimrememberthewarthatEteocleswagedagainstPolynices，whowashisownbrother，inwhichtheonekilledtheotherwithhisownhands。\"Alikethingmaychancewithregardtoyouifyouarebentonpursuingwar;andthelandwillberuinedbyreasonthereof。\"Thereforetheycounselhimtoseeksuchapeaceasmaybereasonableandhonourable;andthattheonemakenounreasonabledemandsontheother。NowAlishearsthatifhedoesnotmakeafaircovenantwithhisbrother，allthebaronswilldeserthim;andhesaidtheywillneverdesireanarrangementwhichhecannotequitablymake;butheestablishesinthecovenantthatwhate’ertheoutcomeofthematterthecrownremaintohim。
InordertomakefirmandlastingpeaceAlissendsoneofhismasters-at-armsandbidsAlexandercometohimandrulealltheland;butthathedoAlissomuchhonourastoallowhimtokeepthenameofemperorandlethimhavethecrown;thus，ifhewill，canthiscovenantbemade’twixtthetwainofthem。WhenthisthingwasrelatedandtoldtoAlexander，hisfolkhavemountedwithhimandhavecometoAthens。Withjoyweretheyreceived;
butitdoesnotpleaseAlexanderthathisbrothershouldhavethelordshipoftheempireandofthecrownifhegivehimnothispromisethatneverwillhewedwoman;butthatafterhim，CligesshallbeemperorofConstantinople。Thusarethebrothersreconciled。Alexandermakeshimswear;andAlisgrantsandwarrantshimthatneveraslongasheshalllivewillhetakewife。Theyarereconciledandremainfriends。Thebaronsmanifestgreatjoy;theytakeAlisforemperor;butbeforeAlexandercomeaffairsgreatandsmall。Whateverhecommandsandsaysisdone;
andlittleisdoneexceptthroughhim。Alishasnolongeranythingbutthename——forheiscalledemperor——butAlexanderisservedandloved;andhewhodoesnotservehimthroughlove，mustneedsdosothroughfear。Bymeansofloveandfearherulesallthelandaccordingtohiswill。ButhewhosenameisDeathsparesnoman，weakorstrong，butslaysandkillsthemall。
Alexanderwasdestinedtodie;forasicknessforwhichtherewasnoremedytookhiminitsgrip;butbeforedeathcameuponhimhesentforhissonandsaid：\"Fairson，Cliges，nevercanstthouknowhowmuchprowessandvalourthoushalthaveifthougonotfirsttoprovethyselfatKingArthur’scourtonboththeBritonsandtheFrench。Iffateleadtheethither，sobearanddemeanthyselfthatthouremainunknowntillthouhastprovedthyselfonthefloweroftheknighthoodatthecourt。Icounseltheethatthoubelievemeinthismatter;andthatifopportunitycomesthoufearnottoputthyfortunetothetestwiththyuncle，myLordGawain。Pritheeforgetnotthis。\"
Afterthisexhortationhelivednotlong。Soredamorshadsuchgriefthereatthatshecouldnotliveafterhim。Forsheergriefshediedwhenhedied。AlisandCligesbothmournedforthemastheywerebound;butintimetheyceasedtomourn。Forallmourningmustcometoanend;allthingsneedsmustcease。Illisittoprolongmourning，fornogoodcancomeofit。Themourninghasceased;andforalongtimeaftertheemperorhasrefrainedfromtakingwife，forhewouldfainstriveafterloyalty。Butthereisnocourtinalltheworldthatispurefromevilcounsel。Noblesoftenleavetherightwaythroughtheevilcounselstowhichtheygivecredence，sothattheydonotkeeployalty。Oftendohismencometotheemperor，andtheygivehimcounsel，andexhorthimtotakeawife。Somuchdotheyexhortandurgehim，andeachdaydotheysomuchbesethim，thatthroughtheirgreatimportunity，theyhaveturnedhimfromhisloyalty，andhepromisestodotheirwill。ButhesaysthatshewhoistobeladyofConstantinoplemustneedsbeverygracefulandfairandwise，richandofhighdegree。ThenhiscounsellorssaytohimthattheywillmakereadyandwillhiethemintotheGermanlandtosueforthedaughteroftheemperor。Theycounselhimtotakeher;fortheemperorofGermanyisverymightyandverypowerfulandhisdaughterissofairthatneverinChristendomwasthereadamselofsuchbeauty。Theemperorgrantsthemalltheirsuit;andtheysetoutonthewaylikefolkwellequipped。Theyhaveriddenintheirdays’journeysuntiltheyfoundtheemperoratRatisbon，andaskedhimtogivehiselderdaughterfortheirlord’sbehalf。
Theemperorwasfullblitheatthisembassyandgladlyhashepromisedthemhisdaughter;forheinnowiseabaseshimselfbysodoingandabatesnotonejotofhisdignity。ButhesaysthathehadpromisedtogivehertotheDukeofSaxony;andthattheGreekscouldnottakeherawayunlesstheemperorcameandbroughtamightyforce，sothatthedukecouldnotdohimhurtorinjuryonthewaybacktoGreece。
Whenthemessengershadheardtheemperor’sreplytheytaketheirleaveandsetoutoncemoreforhome。Theyhavereturnedtotheirlordandhavetoldhimthereply。Andtheemperorhastakenchosenmen，knightsproveninarms，thebestthathehasfound，andhetakeswithhimhisnephew，forwhosesakehehadvowedthathewouldnevertakewifeaslongashelived。ButinnowisewillhekeepthisvowifhecanwintoreachCologne。OnadayappointedhedepartsfromGreeceandshapeshiscoursetowardsGermany;forhewillnotfailforblamenorforreproachtotakeawife。Buthishonourwillwanethereby。HedoesnotstoptillhereachesColognewheretheemperorhadestablishedhiscourtforafestivalheldforallGermany。WhenthecompanyoftheGreekshadcometoColognethereweresomanyGreeksandsomanyGermansfromthenorth，thatmorethansixtythousandhadtofindquartersoutsidethetown。
Greatwasthegatheringoffolk，andverygreatwasthejoythatthetwoemperorsshowed，fortheywererightgladtomeetfacetoface。Inthepalacewhichwasverylongwastheassemblyofthebarons;andnowtheemperorsentforhisbeautifuldaughter。Themaidendidnottarry。Straightwayshecameintothepalace;andshewasfair，andsowellshaped，justasGodHimselfhadmadeher;foritpleasedHimgreatlytoshowsuchworkmanshipastomakepeoplemarvel。NeverdidGodwhofashionedhergivetomanawordthatcouldexpresssomuchbeauty，thattherewasnotinherstillmorebeauty。
Fenicewasthemaidennamed，andnotwithoutreason;forjustasthebirdPhoenixisfairestaboveallothersandtherecannotbemorethanonephoenixatatime，soFenice，Ideem，hadnopeerforbeauty。Itwasawonderandamarvel，forneveragaincouldNatureattaintoframingherlike。InasmuchasIshouldsaylessthanthetruth，Iwillnotinwordsdescribearmsnorbodynorheadnorhands;forifIhadathousandyearstoliveandeachdayhaddoubledmywisdomIshouldstillwasteallmytime，andyetneverexpressthetruthofit。IknowwellthatifImeddledwithitIshouldexhaustallmywisdomuponitandshouldsquanderallmypains;foritwouldbewastedpains。Themaidenhashastenedandhascomeintothepalacewithheaduncoveredandfacebare;andthesheenofherbeautyshedsgreaterlightinthepalacethanfourcarbuncleswouldhavedone。NowCligeshaddoffedhiscloakinpresenceofhisuncle，theemperor。Thedaywassomewhatcloudybutsobeauteouswerethetwain，boththemaidandhe，thatthereshotforthfromtheirbeautyaraywithwhichthepalaceglowedagain，justasthesunshinesbrightandruddyinthemorning。
TodescribethebeautyofCligesIwilllimnyouaportrait，thetraitsofwhichshallbeverybrieflytold。Hewasintheflowerofhisyouth，forhewasaboutfifteenyearsold。HewasfairerandmorecomelythanNarcissus’whosawhisownreflectioninthefountainbeneaththeelm，andloveditsomuchwhenhesawitthathedied——sofolksay——becausehecouldnothaveit。Muchbeautyhadhe，andlittlewit，butCligeshadgreaterstoreofboth，justasfinegoldsurpassescopper，andyetmorethanIcansay。Hishairseemedlikefinegoldandhisfaceafresh-blownrose。Hisnosewaswellshaped，andhismouthbeautiful，andhewasofgreatstatureasNaturebestknewhowtoframehim;forinhimalonesheputallatoncewhatsheiswonttodoleouttoeachinportions。InframinghimNaturewassolavishthatsheputeverythingintohimallatonceandgavehimwhatsoevershecould。SuchwasCligeswhohadinhimwisdomandbeauty，generosityandstrength。Hehadthetimbertogetherwiththebark，andknewmoreoffencingandofarchery，ofbirdsandofhounds，thanTristram，KingMark’snephew;notonegracewaslackingtoCliges。
Cligesinallhisbeautywasstandingbeforehisuncle;andthosewhodidnotknowhimwereinafevertoseehim;andalsothosewhodonotknowthemaidenareeagerlystrainingtoseeher;alllookatherwithwonder;butCliges，inlove，directshiseyestohersecretly，andwithdrawsthemsoprudentlythatneitherinthegoingorthecomingofthegazecanoneconsiderhimafoolforhisaction。Rightlovinglyheregardsher;buthedoesnotpayheedtothefactthatthemaidenpayshimbackinkind。Intruelovenotinflatteryhegiveshiseyesintoherkeeping，andreceiveshers。Rightgoodseemsthisexchangetoher;anditwouldhaveseemedtoherfarbetterifshehadknownsomewhatofhisworth。Butsheknowsnomorethanthatsheseeshimfair;andifshewereeverdestinedtoloveaughtbecauseofthebeautythatshemightseeinit，itisnotmeetthatsheshouldsetherheartelsewhere。Shehassethereyesandherheartthere;andheinhisturnhaspromisedherhis。Promised？Nay，butgivenforgoodandall。Given？Nay，infaith，Ilie;hehasnot，fornoonecangivehisheart。NeedsmustIsayitinadifferentfashion。Iwillnotspeakastheyspeakwhojointwoheartsinonebody;foritisnottrue，andhasnoteventhesemblanceoftruthtosaythatonebodycanhavetwoheartsatonce。Andeveniftheycouldcometogethersuchathingcouldnotbebelieved。
But，anditpleaseyoutohearkentome，Ishallbeablewelltorenderyouthereasonwhytwoheartsblendinonewithoutcomingtogether。Insofarasonlytheyblendinone，thewillofeachpassesfromonetotheother，andthetwainhavethesamedesire，andbecausetheyhavethesamedesire，therearefolkwhoarewonttosaythateachofthempossessesboththehearts。Butoneheartisnotintwoplaces。Wellmaytheirdesirebethesame，andyeteach，always，hisownheart，justasmanydifferentmencansinginharmonyonesongorverse;andIprovetoyoubythisparablethatonebodycannothavetwoheartsbecauseoneknowstheother’swill，orbecausethesecondknowswhatthefirstlovesandwhathehates。Abodycannothavemorethanoneheartanymorethanthevoiceswhichsinginharmony，sothattheyseemtobebutasinglevoice，canbethevoiceofonepersonalone。
Butitprofitsmenottodwellonthis;foranothertaskdemandsmycare。HenceforthImustspeakofthemaidenandofCliges;andyeshallhearoftheDukeofSaxonywhohassenttoCologneanephewofhis，amerestripling，whodisclosestotheemperorwhathisuncle，theduke，bidshimdeliver——thattheemperorexpectnotfromhimtruceorpeaceifhesendnottohimhisdaughter;andletnotthatmanfeelconfidentonthewaywhothinkstotakeherthencewithhim;forhewillnotfindthewayvoidoffoes;ratherwillitberightwelldefendedagainsthimifsheisnotgivenuptotheduke。
Welldidthestriplingdeliverhismessage，allwithoutprideandwithoutpresumption;buthefindsnone，norknightnoremperor，toreplytohim。Whenhesawthattheywereallsilentandthattheydiditfromcontempt，heisforquittingthecourtdefiantly。ButyouthandaudacitymadehimchallengeCligestojoustagainsthimerehedeparted。Theymounttohorseinordertotilt;onbothsidestheycountthreehundredsowereequalinnumber。Thewholepalaceisemptyanddeserted;forthereremainsthereneithermannorwoman，norknightnordamsel，whodoesnotgoandmountonthepalaceroof，ontothebattlements，andtothewindows，toseeandbeholdthosewhoweretotilt。Eventheprincesshasmountedthither，shewhomLovehadconqueredandwontohiswill。Sheisseatedatawindowwhereshegreatlydelightstositbecausefromthenceshecanseehimwhomshehashiddeninherheart，norhathshedesiretotakehimawayfromthathiding-place;forneverwillsheloveanysavehim。Butsheknowsnotwhatishisnamenorwhoheisorofwhatracenordoesitbecomehertoask;andyetshelongstohearaughtwhereatherheartmayrejoice。Throughthewindowshelooksoutontheshieldswherethegoldshines，andonthosewhocarrythemslungroundtheirnecks，andwhotakedelightinthejousting;butherthoughtandherglanceshehaswhollysetinonedirection，forshegivesnothoughttoaughtelse。SheiseagertogazeonCligesandfollowshimwithhereyeswhereverhegoes。Andhe，onhispart，tiltsstrenuouslyforherbeforetheeyesofall，onlythatshemayhearthatheisvaliantandveryskilful;forinanycaseitwouldbemeetthatsheshouldesteemhimforhisprowess。
Heturnshimselftowardthenephewofthedukewhorodeapace，breakingmanylancesanddiscomfitingtheGreeks;butCliges，whoismightilyvexedthereat，presseswithallhisweightonhisstirrups，andridestostrikehimsorapidlythattheSaxon，inspiteofhimself，hasvoidedhissaddle-bows。Therewasagreatstirasheroseagain。Thestriplingrisesandmounts，andthinkstoavengethoroughlyhisshame;butmanyamanthinkstoavengehisshameifheispermitted，whoincreasesit。TheyouthrushestowardsCliges;andCligeslowershislancetomeethim;andattackshimwithsuchviolencethathebearshimoncemoretotheground。Nowhastheyouthredoubledhisshame，andallhisfolkaredismayedthereat;forwelltheyseethatneverwilltheyleavethefraywithhonour;fornoneofthemistheresovaliant，thatifCligescomesattackinghimhecanremaininhissaddle-bowtomeethim。RightgladthereofaretheyofGermanyandtheyofGreecewhentheyseethattheirsidearesendingtheSaxonsabouttheirbusiness;fortheSaxonsdepartasthoughdiscomfited，whiletheotherspursuethemwithcontumelyuntiltheycatchthemupatastream。Manyofthefoedotheyplungeandimmersetherein。Cliges，inthedeepestpartoftheford，hasthrowntheduke’snephew，andsomanyotherswithhim，thattotheirshameandtheirvexation，theyflee，mournfulandsad。ButCligesreturnswithjoy，bearingofftheprizeforvalouronbothsides;andhecamestraighttoadoorwhichwasclosetotheplacewhereFenicewasstandingwhoexactsthetollofasweetlookasheentersthedoor，atollwhichhepaysher，fortheireyeshavemet。Thushasoneconqueredtheother。
ButthereisnoGermanwhetherofthenorthorofthesouthsomuchasabletospeakwhodoesnotsay：\"God！whoisthisinwhomsogreatbeautyblooms？God！whencehasthepowercometohimsoearlythathehaswonsogreatdistinction？\"Thusasksthismanandthat，\"Whoisthisyouth，whoishe？\"tillthroughoutthecitytheysoonknowthetruthofit，bothhisnameandhisfather’s，andthepromisewhichtheemperorhadmadeandgrantedtohim。Itisalreadysomuchtoldandnoisedabroadthateventhemaidenhearstellofit，whohadgreatjoyinherheartthereatbecausenowshecanneversaythatLovehasscornedher，norcanshecomplainofaught;forhemakesherlovethefairest，themostcourteous，andthemostvaliantmanthatonecouldeverfindanywhere;butshemustneedshaveasherhusbandonewhocannotpleaseher;andsheisfullofanguishanddistressthereat;forshedoesnotknowwithwhomtotakecounselconcerninghimwhomshedesiressaveonlywithherownthoughtsassheliesawake。Andthoughtandwakefulnesssodealwithherthattheyblanchherandaltogetherchangehercomplexion，sothatonecanseequiteclearlybyherlossofcolourthatshehasnotwhatshedesires;forsheplayslessthanherwont，andlaughsless，anddisportsherselfless;butshehidesitwellanddeniesitstoutlyifanyaskwhatailsher。Hernurse，whohadbroughtherupfrominfancy，wasnamedThessala，andwasversedintheblackart。ShewascalledThessalabecauseshewasborninThessalywheresorceriesaremade，taught，andpractised;forthewomenwhoareofthatcountrymakecharmsandenchantments。
ThessalaseesthatshewhomLovehasinhispoweriswanandpale，andshehasaddressedhersecretly。\"God！\"quothshe，\"areyouenchanted，mysweetladydear，thatyouhavesowanacountenance？MuchdoIwonderwhatailsyou。Tellme，ifyouknow，inwhatpartthissicknesspossessesyoumost;forifanyonecancureyouofityoucanrelyonme，forwellcanIgiveyoubackyourhealth。WellknowIhowtocureamanofdropsy，andIknowhowtocureofgout，ofquinsy，andofasthma;Iknowsomuchaboutthewaterandsomuchaboutthepulsethatevilwouldbethehourinwhichyouwouldtakeanotherleech。AndI
know，ifIdaredsayit，ofenchantmentsandofcharms，wellprovenandtrue，morethaneverMedeaknew。NeverspakeIawordofittoyou;andyetIhavebroughtyouuptillnow;butneverreproachyourselfatallforit;，forneverwouldIhavesaidaughttoyouifIhadnotseenforasuretythatsuchamaladyhasattackedyou，thatyouhaveneedofmyaid。Lady，tellmeyourmalady，andyouwillactwiselyindoingsobeforeitgetsfurtherholdofyou。TheemperorhassetmeinchargeofyouthatImaytakecareofyou;andIhavegivensuchdiligencethatI
havekeptyouinsoundhealth。NowshallIhavelostmypainsifIhealyounotofthisill。Bewarethatyouhideitnotfromme，beitillnessoraughtelse。\"ThemaidendaresnotopenlydiscloseherwholedesirebecausesheisgreatlyafeardthatThessalamayblameanddissuadeher。Andyetbecauseshehearshergreatlyvauntandextolherself，andsaythatsheislearnedinenchantment，incharmsandpotions，shewilltellherwhatishercase，whyherfaceispaleandwan;butbeforehandshewillmakeherpromisethatshewillhideitforeverandwillneverdissuadeher。