A Metrical History of England :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Metrical History of England

Or, Recollections, in Rhyme, Of some of the most prominent Features in our National Chronology, from the Landing of Julius Caesar to the Commencement of the Regency, in 1812. In Two Volumes ... By Thomas Dibdin

Dibdin, Thomas (1771-1841)

II.

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THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA.

Began 582.—Ended 847.—Contained Huntingdon, Rutland, Lincoln, Northampton, Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Oxford, Chester, Salop, Gloucester, Worcester, Stafford, Warwick, Bucks, Bedford.—Metropolis, Leicester.

THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA.

O'er midland Mercia, Wibba rul'd;—his crôwn
He left to Leorl.—Penda's chief renown
Sprang from his turbulence; by Oswy slain,
Peada, and swift-succeeding sovereigns reign,
Then Offa, well-beloved by Charlemagne.
Wiglaff, last ruler, Egbert taught to yield
Lord of his fate, and master of the field.