"Sage Merlin said — and oft renewed that say —

  He was reserved to flourish in an age,

  When most opprest the Roman empire lay,

  That he might free that holy heritage:

  But as some deeds of his I must display

  Hereafter, these I will not now presage.

  So spake that wizard, and renewed the story,

  Which told of Charlemagne's predestined glory.