35. If that the powre of gold doe conquer kings, Corrupts the noble, and deceaues the wise, Subdues the valiant: yea, the brother brings To sell his brother’s blood for golden prize, Wherewith to glut his greedie auarice: No maruell then, if that my gold did bring This fained oth in credit with the king. 36. Of _Hardiknute_ this fauour I did finde, I liu’d in grace and great felicitie, To me the rule of all things hee resign’d, He onely kept his kinglie dignitie, All things were swaid by my authoritie: But after two yeares space, by suddaine death In midst of mirth, he lost his vitall breath. 37. Being at a feast vpon a solemne day, At Lambeth house, within the bishop’s place, With cup in hand his life did fleet away, To ground he fell and did cold death imbrace, Leauing few friends to waile his woefull case: In loue of drinke he liu’d, in drinke he dide: Such drunken death oft drunkards doe betide. 38. Prince _Edward_, _Alfred’s_ brother, he being dead, Was left the lawfull heire vnto the crowne, Which I did claime as due from _Edgelred_, And on his seeming foes I seem’d to frowne, That sought with violent hands to pluck him downe: For well I did perceaue, he being king, To good effect my purpose I should bring. 39. Zealous he was, and did so much delight In sacred precepts of pure sanctitie, That farre more fit he seem’d in all men’s sight, To liue religious in a friarie, Then sway the sceptor of a monarchie: Yet seing the right did vnto him pertaine, He was permitted ouer vs to reigne. 40. Vpon whose minde more pliable to yeeld To rule of others, then to rule alone, The hope of future fortune I did build, And after him, vnknowne to anie one, I laid my plot to step into the throne: For vnto him my daughter I did wed, Twixt whom I knew would be a barren bed. 41. Although the choycest eye could not select A virgin with more sweets of beautie fild: Yet for in hart he iustlie did suspect His brother _Alfred’s_ blood by me was spild, Her beautie with delight he nere beheld, My dreaded power, which might haue dangerous beene To his estate, was cause he made her queene. 42. Whereby in future time my valiant sonne, My _Harrold_ stout a title did pretend Vnto the crowne, who by his valor wonne High credit with the king, who in the end So far to him his fauour did extend, That after his decease, he did ordaine The crowne and kingdome should to him remaine. 43.