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Alexanders letter to all countries.

to the earth he shall again. When Alexander was set upon this throne, crowned with his diadem, & the Macedonians & the persons standing about him: before them all he [gert] write a letter to all countries, that was of this tenor.

'Alexander the son of god Amon & queen Olympias king of kings & lord of lords, to all Dukes, Princes, Earls, Barons, masters, & to all the folks of Persia: joy & grace. Since it is pleasing to god, that I sit on the throne of Darius, & be lord of the persians, great cause I have for to be rejoist greatly thereof, [ne] were it for the great multitude of folk that are slain. But since it so is that god has ordained me to your lorde, and your governor, therefore we command thou that in each city, throughout the lordship of Persia, thee ordain princes and governors as there was in Darius' time, to the which we command thou that thee be [obedient?] as the before-times have been, and that they do right to each man at their power. Also it is our will and our commandment, that each a man (welde) & [reioyce paysabily] his lands and his possessions. We command also, that from this land of persia unto Ellada, & from here to Macedonia, be [redy way] & open so that each a man that will may pass both in and out, with merchandise or any other errands that they have to do, and Joy & peace be unto thou.'

Then [gert] Alexander all men be still, and said on this ways: "Which of thou so slew mine enemy Darius; come forth before me, and I shall give thou worthy [mede], & [conable] worship due them, I swear by our gods, that our Almighty, & by my ost beloved mother Olympias, that I shall give them worthy [mede].' When Alexander had sad these words the persians wept wonderly sore. And then the two man-murderers Bisso and Aryobarthantes come before Alexander, and said unto him: 'Worshipful emperor,' quoth they, 'we are those that slew Darius thine enemy with our own hand.' And when Alexander saw them, he bade his knights [belyfe] go & take them, & bind them, & lead them to Darius' grave, & there smite off their heads. And then they answered, & said unto Alexander: 'A, A, worshipful emperor,' quoth they,