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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

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THE KINGDOM OF SUSSEX,

OR, SOUTH SAXONS.

Sussex! of modern summer beaux the boast,
When British beauty gladdens Albion's coast;
Where waves transparent soften, more than hide,
Those charms, encircled by the happy tide.
Sussex! which erst saw conqu'ring William land,
And subject England to his iron hand.
Thine ancient chronicles have less in store,
Than the imperfect legends sung before;
A long parenthesis of names, I ween
From Œlla down to Adelwalch is seen;
'Till Egbert's, paramount by all confess'd,
Like Aaron's pow'rful rod engulphs the rest.