In starrës many a winter therebeforn Was writ the death of Hector, Achilles, Of Pompey, Julius, ere they were born; The strife of Thebes; and of Hercules, Of Samson, Turnus, and of Socrates The death; but mennë’s wittës be so dull, That no wight can well read it at the full.

This Soudan for his privy council sent, And, shortly of this matter for to pace, 1464 He hath to them declared his intent, And told them certain, but 1465 he might have grace To have Constance, within a little space, He was but dead; and charged them in hie 1466 To shapë 1467 for his life some remedy.