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The conquest of Syria; the battle of Josaphat

his Oste suffered many dysesses. For that City was so strange
in itself because of the ground, that it was set upon, and
by-cause of great towers & many that ware about it, and also
because it was so enclosed" with the see that it might not lightly be won by [nane] assault. Alexander than [unbethought] him, one what ways he might best come to for to destroy this city, and he Great make a great bastell of tree, and
set it upon ships in the sea even forgaynes the cete, so that there might no ships come near the haven for to vetaylls the Citee or supply it with men because of the bastelle. In the meantime, Alexander Oste hade great defawte of vetaylls,
and then he sent letters unto Jadus, that at that time was bishop & governor of the jews, and prayed him for to supply him with some men, and also that he would send" some
vetails for hym & his Oste, and he should pay for them with a glad cheer, and that he should also send" him the tribute that he should give Darius the emperor of Persia. For him were better, he said", have his friendship than the friendship of
Darius. The Bischope than of the Iewes ansuerd" the messangers
that broghte hym the lettres & said, ' I hafe,' quoth he, 'made [oath] to Darius, that, while he lives, I shall never bear arms against him, and therefore I may not do against my oath.' The Messengers then went to Alexander & told him the bishop's answer, and he was grieved' & said', ' I make my avow,' quoth he,' unto our gods, that I shall take such vengeance on the jews that I shall make them to know, whether it is better to than to be obeisant unto my commandment, or unto the kings of Persia.' And he called a duke, that [highte] Meleager, and with [vc] men of arms, and bade them go into the valley of Josaphat, which was full of beasts & bring of those beasts to the Oste for to vetaille them with. And [ane] Sampson, that knew the country well was their guide. They went into the valley, and gathered together [chattel] without number & began for to [dryfe] on them. And he that was lord of the country, Theosellas by name, raised a great multitude of folk and met them & fought with them & slew many of them. But Meleager & his fellows at that time had the better. And [ane that highte] Caulus went boldly to Theosellas, & smite off his head! All this was done but a little from the city of Gadir. And then Bertyne,