Empire dwindled to tetrarchy, reliant, as an exotic concubine,
     on foreign common wealth. The roads rampant with
     painted men, too—the whole kingdom the brunt of
     Lundenwic’s folly.

The sovereign silent and ceremonious, though powers rise
     at the choosing of the Garter, dazzles the opening
     of Parliament in borrowed jewels.

I fed the son of Offa Rex, a staggeringly-gifted child, the food
     of slaves and his belly had never been so full.