The tragedies, gathered by Ihon Bochas, of all such princes as fell from theyr estates throughe the mutability of fortune since the creacion of Adam, vntil his time wherin may be seen what vices bring menne to destruccion, wyth notable warninges howe the like may be auoyded. Translated into Englysh by Iohn Lidgate, monke of Burye.

In stede of a Lenuoye.

OF this Nero to write a Lenuoye Nor of his dedes to make mencion To rede the processe no man should haue ioye, For al concludeth of murdre and of treason, On aduoutry excesse and poyson, Riot, glotony, lechery, vengeaunce, Slaughter of him selfe ended with mischaūce

If that I myght I wolde race his name Out of this boke that no man should it rede, His vicious lyfe chefe myrrour of diffame, Set hym asyde let no wyght take hede For to remembre so many a cruell dede, Saue onely thys to thinke in substaunce Howe euery tiraunt endeth in mischaunce.

Of him I cast to wrytenowe no more And what I say is sayde but in reprefe

Of the vyces that he wrought of yore, Duryng his empyre, concluding for a chefe All tyrannye shall ende wyth myschefe: Recorde on Nero which for misgouernaūce. As ye haue herde ended wyth mischaunce.