The King's Duty

“In England a king hath little more to do than to make war and give away places; which in plain terms, is to impoverish the nation and set it together by the ears. A pretty business indeed for a man to be allowed 800,000 sterling a year for, and worshipped into the bargain! Of more worth is one honest man to society and in the sight of God, than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.”

In Engla land, a cyning hæfþ lytel more to wyrcan þonne to macian wæpen and forgiefan stowas; þeah in clæne spræce, is to þurhdrifan þa folc and settan hit togædre mid þære earum. A gode weorc forsoðlice for an man to be geþafod 800,000 steorlinga ætgearum for, and wurðian into þa gemæt! Of more wyrðe is án soðfæst man to societe and on geseondness Godes, þonne eall þara coronade rīfa gehwylc þe æfre lifde.