Harley 2278 f. 10v

ornate margin

In Saxonie whilom ther was a kyng
Callid Alkmond / of excellent noblesse
A manli prince / vertuous of levyng
And ful habounde / of tresour and richesse
Notable in armys / ful renomed of prowesse
A semly persone / hardi and corageous
Mercurie in wisdam / lik Mars victorious

Eyed as Argus / be vertuous providence
And circumspect / as famous Scipion
In kyngli honour / of most excellence
Holde in his tyme / thoruh many a region
But nat withstandyng / his famous hih renon
He so demened / his hih noblesse in deede
Above al tresour / to love god and dreede

In wordli honour / thouh he were fortunat
Set in a chaier / of kyngli dignite
He koude knowe / in his roial estat
Above alle kyngis / god hath the sovereynte
And advertisid / in his most mageste
That sceptre or crowne / may litil availe / or nouht
To hem that love not god / in herte and thouht