7: The child is named Alexander ; his wondrousness.

The child is named Alexander ; his ivondrousness. 7

I was shaggy as a lion's. His eyes glistened like the stars, but The child is

each beamed with its own hue, one black, the other yellow, fath^r^nor^

And his teeth were sharp, and his eager rush as a lion's. His niother;his

4 shape foreshadowed his energy and forethought. By his parents starlike,

he was called Alexander. In the schools, and wheresoever he ^^^ yeliiow

sate, he strove with them in letters and disputations, and by his i^is teeth

1 • A 1 1 1 sharp. He

keen swiftness won the mastership. And when he was twelve is called

8 years old, he was beweaponed for battle, and excelled in arms, -^^^^^d®^-

And Philip, seeing how quick he was, praised him, and said: schools and

' Son Alexander, I love thy speed, and wit of mind for its work. ^* arms he

' J r ^ ^ ^ excels all.

But I am sore and feel foolish that thy form is so unlike mine.' Philip tells

12 And Olympia heard this, and was greatly afraid. And she beloved

called hither Anectanabus, and said : ' Master, learn from me ^^^ ^^^ ,

was grieved

what Philip misdeemeth. For he said to Alexander, " Son, at his birth.

I love thy speed and wit of mind. But, that thy shape is ^lympia

i6 unlike mine, I am saddened."' And Anectanabus began to tells this to

think, and said : ' His thought is nowise harmful.' And gazing ^^j^g ^j^^ "

aloft as he was wont, he looked on a certain star, and riddled says it is

not harm-
out his wish. And when Alexander heard this, he spake : ful.

30 ' The star thou seest is seen in the heavens % ' And Anectanabus Anectana-

replied : ' My son, it is.' Alexander said : ' Canst thou show it ^^^h ^^^^

unto me ? ' Anectanabus answered : * Follow me in the hour of Alexander,

sees a star

night, and I will show it unto thee.' Alexander said : * Thy which

24 fate is not known to thee, or uncertain 1 ' Anectanabus replied : 2io\vn

' Enough of this.' Alexander said : ' I would fain know it.' again, he

announces

Anectanabus answered : ' In truth know that from my son shall to foretell

come my death.' This said, as he went down from the palace, at his son's

28 Alexander followed him in the hour of the evening without the hands.

. . Alexander

city. And when they arrived up on to the ditch of the city, holding

Anectanabus spake : * Son Alexander, gaze thou on the stars ; rushes ^^

look how the star of Hercules is perplexed, and how Mercury's against

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 dowfD in to )?e dyke, and thare he fette, & was alt to-frusched'; ^^^^ '•

and Jjan) Alexano?er said" vn-to hym one this wyse. ' Fals bus falls'