As he that was hol lord and Sire,
And hield thurgh his chivalerie[165]
Of al this world the Monarchie,[166]
And was the ferste of that honour
Which tok the name of Emperour.
De seculo ferreo, quod in tibeis designatum est, a tempore Iulii vsque in[167] regnum Karoli magni Regis Francorum.[168m]
Wher Rome thanne wolde assaille,
Ther myhte nothing contrevaille,
Bot every contre moste obeie:
Tho goth the Regne of Bras aweie, 730