King of the perennial holly-groves, the riven sand-
stone: overlord of the M5: architect of the his-
toric rampart and ditch, the citadel at Tamsworth,
the summer hermitage in Holy Cross: guardian of
the Welsh Bridge and the Iron Bridge: contractor
to the desirable new estates: saltmaster: money-
changer: commissioner for oaths: martyrologist:
the friend of Charlemagne.
‘I liked that,' said Offa, ‘sing it again.'
This line frames the previous verset, establishing it as a panegyric delivered to Offa, about whom the rest of  Mercian Hymns  will return to many times.
Mercian Hymns: I