NOVIMUS QUANTAS DEDERIT. — Metrum 6
"We han wel knowen how many grete harmes and destrucciouns weren
idoon by the emperour Nero. He leet brennen the cite of Rome, and made
sleen the senatours; and he cruel whilom sloughe his brothir, and he
was maked moyst with the blood of his modir (that is to seyn, he leet
sleen and slitten the body of his modir to seen wher he was conceyved);
and he lookede on every halve uppon hir cold deed body, ne no teer ne
wette his face, but he was so hardherted that he myghte ben domesman or
juge of hir dede beaute. And natheles yit governed this Nero by septre
alle the peples that Phehus, the sonne, may seen, comynge fro his
uttreste arysynge til he hide his bemes undir the wawes. (That is to seyn he governede al the peples by ceptre imperial
that the sonne goth aboute from est to west.) And ek this Nero
governyde by ceptre alle the peples that ben undir the colde sterres
that highten the septemtryones. (This is to seyn he
governede alle the peples that ben under the partye of the north.)
And eek Nero governede alle the peples that the vyolent wynd Nothus
scorklith, and baketh the brennynge sandes by his drye heete (that is to seyn,
al the peples
in the south). But yit ne myghte nat al his heie power torne the woodnesse of this
wikkid Nero? Allas! It is grevous fortune as ofte as wikkid sweerd is
joyned to cruel venym (that is to seyn, venymows cruelte
to lordschipe)."
