Here begynnethe the boke calledde Iohn bochas descriuinge the falle of princis princessis [and] other nobles tra[n]slated i[n]to englissh by Iohn ludgate mo[n]ke of the monastery of seint edmu[n]des Bury ...

Howe anchus kinge of rome was murdrid by Lu¦cynyo by thassent of his wif

THinke on achus kinge of rome toun Which was so noble shyninge in his glorye Weryd a crowne full famous of renoun Next hostilius as put is in memorye Wan the palme of many greate victorye But for all that with a full sharpe knyfe He murdred was by assentinge of his wife

He loued hir best aboue eche creature Considred nat hir flatere nor falsnesse Hir double menynge vnder couerture Falsly blent this princis worthynesse To robbe and reue him of his greate richesse Was hir laboure with counterfete plesaunce In hir entent to bringe him to myschaunce

This anchus had a greate affeccion Vnto his goddis to make sacrifises And to augment the relegion Of paganysme made in sundry wises Through his manhode and circumspect diuises Vpon Latynes rebell to his cyte For comon profite he made a greate arme

One of their citees called polotone He knightly wan maugre al their might And whan he had of theym full victorye He abode no lengre but anone forth right Made al the people in euery mannys sight As prysoners this romayn champion Brought afore him bounde into the toun

Eke as I finde this anchus nolde cece For comon profite in his affeccion Their teritories to augment and encrece In all the cuntrees aboute enuyron Towarde the ryuere where tybre renneth At the which place he lete edifie A full stronge cite which called is ostye

But nat withstandynge all his worthynesse He was depryued the story telleth soo Of his kingdom and his greate richesse By a foreyne called Lucynyo His wife tarquild assented was therto By whoos outrage and gredy couetise Anchus was murdred in full cruell wise