Yet did not this my mounting thoughts beat downe, Nor quell the pride of my aspiring mind, My heart still aim’d at England’s royall crowne, Aspiring hope did th’eies of reason blind, To all impietie I was inclin’d, Of which prince _Alfred_, whom would I had neuer Betray’d to death, a Mirrour liues for euer. 28. The maner of whose death I shame to tell, Such was the cruell torment of the same, And such the noble vertues, that did dwell In th’heart of that sweet prince, whose liuing name To all posteritie records my shame, The more his vertues were, whose blood I spilt, Remorselesse wretch, the greater was my guilt. 29. Curst be the gracelesse heart’s vnswayed pride, Which tempted me to act so foule a deed, Why as at first did not faire vertue guide My steps in path of praise? why in her steed, All grace abolisht, did foule vice succeed? With state and greatnesse, vertue seldome dwels, State fosters pride, pride all good grace expels. 30. After the murder of this guiltlesse man, Long time I flourisht with prosperitie, In slothfull _Harrold’s_ daies my house began With many valiant sonnes to multiplie, Who after came to great authoritie, Of whom hereafter I intend to tell, Hearken meane while what vnto me befell. 31. Hearken ye glory-thirsting men, and heare Iudgement of wreakful wrath powr’d downe by Ioue On me, and on my house, that all may feare, Aspiring honor’s height those plots to proue, To which vaine pride the heart doth often moue, Of which, both I, and all my progenie, May Mirrours be to all posteritie. 32. When _Harrold_ had, the tearme of three yeares space, Vpon the English throne borne supreame sway, He dying left a name of foule disgrace, T’obtaine true fame, he neuer gaue th’assay, His idle life in sloth did fleet away: In houres of ease, who euer spends his daies To future time, leaues seldome any praise. 33. Vpon the throne, his brother did succeed Prince _Hardiknute_, _Canutus’_ lawfull sonne, Whom I did feare, lest for my bloodie deed By his edict, I should to death be done, Which I in lawfull triall could not shun, To murdred _Alfred_ he was borne halfe brother, Got by _Canute_ on _Emma_ his queene mother. 34. Yet I being right expert in euery thing, Which did pertaine to subtile policie, Both tooke a solemne oth before the king, That I from guilt of _Alfred’s_ blood was free, With which his friends had often charged mee: And also, that mine oth might fauour finde, With golden gifts I did corrupt his minde.