7: The child is named Alexander ; his wondrousness.

was shaggy as a lion's. His eyes glistened like the stars, but
each beamed with its own hue, one black, the other yellow,
And his teeth were sharp, and his eager rush as a lion's. His
[4] shape foreshadowed his energy and forethought. By his parents he was called Alexander. In the schools, and wheresoever he
sate, he strove with them in letters and disputations, and by his
keen swiftness won the mastership. And when he was twelve
[8] years old, he was beweaponed for battle, and excelled in arms.
And Philip, seeing how quick he was, praised him, and said :
' Son Alexander, I love thy speed, and wit of mind for its work.
But I am sore and feel foolish that thy form is so unlike mine.'
[12] And Olympia heard this, and was greatly afraid. And she
called hither Anectanabus, and said : ' Master, learn from me
what Philip misdeemeth. For he said to Alexander, " Son,
I love thy speed and wit of mind. But, that thy shape is
[16] unlike mine, I am saddened." ' And Anectanabus began to
think, and said : ' His thought is nowise harmful.' And gazing
aloft as he was wont, he looked on a certain star, and riddled
out his wish. And when Alexander heard this, he spake :
[20] ' The star thou seest is seen in the heavens ? ' And Anectanabus replied : ' My son, it is.' Alexander said : ' Canst thou show it
unto me ? ' Anectanabus answered : ' Follow me in the hour of night, and I will show it unto thee.' Alexander said : ' Thy
[24] fate is not known to thee, or uncertain ? ' Anectanabus replied :
' Enough of this.' Alexander said : ' I would fain know it.'
Anectanabus answered : ' In truth know that from my son shall
come my death.' This said, as he went down from the palace,
[28] Alexander followed him in the hour of the evening without the
city. And when they arrived up on to the ditch of the city,
Anectanabus spake : ' Son Alexander, gaze thou on the stars ;
look how the star of Hercules is perplexed, and how Mercury's
[32] star is blithe. If I see Jove sparkling, my doom telleth me of
my coming death at the hands of my son.' At this sight
Alexander came up nigh to him, and made an onslaught on him,
making him fall

[The early Text begins.]

[36] down in to the dyke, and thare he felle, & was all to-frusched;
and than Alexander said un-to hym one this wyse. ' Fals