How King Alexander began to advance on Tyre, a city rightly belonging to Sanson, the prince aforementioned.

Once King Alexander had arranged all these affairs he set his army on the march once more. On he rode till he left behind the land of Arcaige and entered the land of Syria. It was rich, level, fertile, abundant; and its people judiciously came to him and presented him with all their wealth along with the keys of their city. The king greeted them most kindly and approvingly and took them into his care and protection; and he stayed there for several days to rest and take his ease, and to resupply and provision his troops and men-at-arms with everything they needed. The people of the land provided for them most willingly, making Alexander all the better disposed towards them.

As soon as he'd relaxed and rested enough Alexander commanded that tents and pavilions be packed again and all arms and gear be put in order, for he planned to march into the land of Persia and head for the city of Tyre. This city, by right of inheritance, should have belonged to Sanson Dailly, of whom we spoke earlier, but King Darius had driven him out and installed a captain there named Baillis, who was guarding the city with a great body of men-at-arms.