tend to relate to you, we find written in one of
the books of the library of my lord Saint Peter at Beauvais. [25] From
there the material was drawn of which Chretien has made this romance.
The book is very old in which the story is told, and this adds to its
authority. [26] From such books which have been preserved we learn the
deeds of men of old and of the times long since gone by. Our books have
informed us that the pre-eminence in chivalry and learning once belonged
to Greece. Then chivalry passed to Rome, together with that highest
learning which now has come to France. God grant that it may be
cherished here, and that it may be made so welcome here that the honour
which has taken refuge with us may never depart from France: God had
awarded it as another's share, but of Greeks and Romans no more is
heard, their fame is passed, and their glowing ash is dead.

(Vv. 45-134.) Chretien begins his story as we find it in the history,
which tells of an emperor powerful in wealth and honour who ruled over
Greece and Constantinople. A very noble empress, too, there was, by
whom the emperor had two children. But the elder son was already so
far advanced before the younger one was born that, if he had wished, he
might have become a knight and held all the empire beneath his sway.
The name of the elder was Alexander, and the other's name was Alis.
Alexander, too, was the father's name, and the mother's name was
Tantalis. I shall now say nothing more of the emperor and of Alis; but
I shall speak of Alexander, who was so bold and proud that he scorned
to become a knight in his own country. He had heard of King Arthur, who
reigned in those days, and of the knights whom he always kept about
him, thus causing his court to be feared and famed throughout the world.
However, the affair may result and whatever fortune may await him,
nothing can restrain Alexander from his desire to go into Britain, but
he must obtain his father's consent before proceeding to Britain and
Cornwall. So Alexander, fair and brave, goes to speak with the emperor
in order to ask and obtain his leave. Now he will tell him of his desire
and what he wishes to do and undertake. "Fair sire," he says, "in quest
of honour and fame and praise I dare to ask you a boon, which I desire
you to give me now without delay, if you are willing to grant it to me."
The emperor thinks no harm will come from this request: he ought rather
to desire and long for his son's honour. "F