The following lines from Versus Johannis Scotti ad Karolem Regem (The Poem of John the Irishman for King Charles), written around 860 for Charles II (the Bald)" of France, is a" good example of one style of courtly writing and the accommodations made for patronage during this period:

The torch of the Sun binds everywhere with golden rays
the concentric circles of the starry court.
Twice does he balance on his scale a night twice equal to the day
And twice he turns himself to the increase that each partakes
So dividing the year by twice two motions
He rules the fourfold universe with fair divide
That universe, encompassed by twelve constellations on its curving vault
The life, the salvation of men, the highest glory of the Heavens:
Grant to our King Charles to whom you have given the sceptres
That he...