[Sidenote: [POMPEIUS AND THE KING OF ARMENIA.]] I rede hou whilom that Pompeie, To whom that Rome moste obeie, [Sidenote: Hic ponit exemplum de victoriosi Principis pietate erga aduersarios suos. Et narrat quod, cum Pompeius Romanorum Imperator Regem Armenie aduersarium suum in bello victum cepisset, captumque vinculis alligatum Rome tenuisset, tirannidis iracundie stimulos postponens, pietatis mansuetudinem operatus est. Dixit enim quod nobilius est Regem facere quam deponere: super quo dictum Regem absque vlla redempcione non solum a vinculis absoluit, set ad sui regni culmen gratuita voluntate coronatum restituit.[1244]] A werre hadde in jeupartie Ayein the king of Ermenie,[1242] Which of long time him hadde grieved. Bot ate laste it was achieved 3220 That he this king desconfit hadde, And forth with him to Rome ladde As Prisoner, wher many a day In sori plit and povere he lay, The corone of his heved deposed,[1243] Withinne walles faste enclosed; And with ful gret humilite He soffreth his adversite. Pompeie sih his pacience And tok pite with conscience, 3230 So that upon his hihe deis Tofore al Rome in his Paleis, As he that wolde upon him rewe, Let yive him his corone newe And his astat al full and plein[1245] Restoreth of his regne ayein, [Sidenote: =P. iii. 201=] And seide it was more goodly thing To make than undon a king, To him which pouer hadde of bothe. Thus thei, that weren longe wrothe, 3240 Acorden hem to final pes; And yit justice natheles Was kept and in nothing offended; Wherof Pompeie was comended.[1246] Ther mai no king himself excuse, Bot if justice he kepe and use, Which for teschuie crualte He mot attempre with Pite. [Sidenote: [CRUELTY.]] Of crualte the felonie Engendred is of tirannie, 3250 Ayein the whos condicion God is himself the champion, (3450*) Whos strengthe mai noman withstonde. For evere yit it hath so stonde, That god a tirant overladde; Bot wher Pite the regne ladde, Ther mihte no fortune laste Which was grevous, bot ate laste The god himself it hath redresced. Pite is thilke vertu blessed 3260 Which nevere let his Maister falle; Bot crualte, thogh it so falle That it mai regne for a throwe, God wole it schal ben overthrowe: Wherof ensamples ben ynowhe Of hem that thilke merel drowhe.