16

16

The conquest of Syria; the battle of Josaphat,

Tyre resists
stoutly,
and he has
to set a
boom
across the
liaven.

* Leafs.

Alexander
sends for
help to Ja
dus, Bishop
of the Jews,
and also
demands
tribute.

The Bishop
pleads the
oath of
fealty
sworn to
Darius.

Alexander
swears to
wreak ven
geance on
the Jews.

He sends
Meleager
with 500
men to
Josaphat
to forage.
They de
feat the
Lord of the
country
and slay
him.

But the

Lord of the
city sends
help and

his host suffered many diseases. For that city was so strange initself because of the ground that it was set upon, amd because of great towers and many that were about it, and many that were about it, and also because it was so enclosed with the sea that it might not lightly be won by no assault. Alexander then thought about him, one what wise he might best come to for to destroy this city, and he made a great bastille of tree, and set it upon ships in the sea to secure the city, so that there no ships might come near the haven to feed the city or supply it with men because of the bastille. In the meantime, Alexander's host had great deficit of food, and then he sent letters to Iadus, that at that time was bishop and governor of the Jews, and prayed him for to supply him with some men, and also that he would send some victuals for him and his host, and he should pay for them with a glad share, and the he should also send him the tribute that he should gift Darius, the emperor of Persia. For him were better, he said, have his friendship that the friendship of Darius. The Bishop of the Jews then answer the messengers that brought him the letters and said, "I have," quoth he, "sworn fealty to Darius, that while he lives, I shall never bear arms against him, and therefore I may not go against my fealty. The messangers then wen to Alexander and told him the bishop's answer and he was agrieved and said "I make my vow," said he, 'unto our goddess, the shall take swift vengeance on the Jews that I shall make them to know, whether it is better to be obedient unto my commandment or unto the kings of Persia. And he called a duke, that high Melagere, and with 500 men of armes and bade them into the valley of Josephat, the which was full of beasts and bring of these beasts the host for to feed them with. And one Sampson that knew the country well was their guide. They went into the valley and gathered together cattle without number and began to drive them. And he that was lord of the country, Theosellas by name, raised a great multitude of folk and met them and fought with them and killed many of them. Both Melagere and his fellows at that time had the better. And one that was named Caulus went boldly to Theosellas and smote his head! And this was done on a little boat from the city of Gadir. And then Bertyne,