6.
But hence did rise the ruine of the state,
And fourth decay of Albion’s emperie,
This was the gap, which by decree of fate
Was open laid for time’s posteritie,
Vnto the Norman conquerer’s victorie:
For by these fatall nuptials in the end,
The Norman duke his title did pretend.
7.
My sire being thus constrain’d by forren force,