"King Pharamond, the first of those that passed

  The Rhine, amid his Franks' victorious train,

  When Gaul was won, bethought him how to cast

  On restive Italy the curbing rein;

  And this; that evermore he wasting fast

  Beheld the Roman empire's feeble reign;

  And (for both reigned at once) would make accord,

  To compass his design, with Britain's lord.