De Nero Imperatore.
¶ Alþouhe þat Nero were as vicious
As fende þat liþe ful lowe adoune
Ȝitte he as telleþ vs swytheneus
þis wide werlde hadde in subieccione
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Boþe est & west & septemtrione
Of Rebees safers & of Pereles white
Were al his cloþes brouded vp & doune
For he in Gemmis grete gan delite
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¶ More delicate more Pompus of araie
More proude was neuere Emperoure þan he
þat ilke cloþe þat he hadde wered a daie
After þat time he nold it neuere se
Line 3664
Nettes of gold þrede hadde he grete plente
To fysshe in tybre whan him luste to pleie
His lustes were as lawe in his degre
For fortune as his frende wolde him obeye;
Line 3668
¶ He Rome brent for his delicacie
The Senatours he slowhe vpon a daye
To howe þat men wolde wepe & crye
And slowhe his broþer & by his suster laye
Line 3672
His moder Maade he in pytous araie
For he hir wombe slitte to be-holde
Where he conceyved was so walawaye
Þat he so litel of his moder tolde
Line 3676
¶ No tere oute of his eyen for þat siht
Ne came Bot seide a faire womman was sche
Grete wonder is þat he couþe or miht
Be domeseman of hire dede bewte [folio 214a]
Line 3680
The wyne to bringe commaunde he
And dranke anone none oþere woo he maade
Whan myht is Ioyned vnto cruelte
Alas to depe wil þe venym wade
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