The Basileus"—for so he began— Is a royal sagacious Mars of a man, Than the very lion bolder; He has married the stately widow of Thrace— "Hush!" cried a voice at his shoulder. …

The Porphyrogenita Zoe the fair Is about to wed with a prince much older, Of an unpropitious mien and look— "Hush!" cried a voice at his shoulder. …

"The child of the Basileus," wrote the monk, “Is golden-haired, tender the Queen's arms fold her, Her step-mother Zoe doth love her so— "Hush!" cried a voice at his shoulder. …

"The queen," wrote the monk, "rules firm this realm, For the king gets older and older; The Norseman Thorkill is brave and fair— "Hush!" cried a voice at his shoulder.