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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 | A Metrical History of England |  |
57
“This crown I part between you.”
Shakespeare.
Shakespeare.
ETHELBALD and ETHELBERT.
Ethelwulph's grants to the Clergy were such,
Let this lesson œconomy teach,
From the State to the Church he had given so much,
His Sons got but half a Crown each.
But, then he'd two younger lads, critics may cry,
Perhaps so, we'll talk about them by and bye.
Let this lesson œconomy teach,
From the State to the Church he had given so much,
His Sons got but half a Crown each.
But, then he'd two younger lads, critics may cry,
Perhaps so, we'll talk about them by and bye.
Prince Ethelbert proved himself worthy his birth,
I can't say as much for his Brother,
Who being the veriest monster on earth,
Was actually wed to his Mother—
In law,—Lady Judith,—not she who so called
Destroy'd Holofernes the big,
But daughter to Emperor Charley, the bald,
So named from the want of a wig.
We can't say that Ethelbald's reign was long lived,
Or happy the period his brother survived;
He was teazed by the Danes, who in England wou'd sway,
But died'ere he'd give the marauders their way.
I can't say as much for his Brother,
Who being the veriest monster on earth,
Was actually wed to his Mother—
In law,—Lady Judith,—not she who so called
Destroy'd Holofernes the big,
But daughter to Emperor Charley, the bald,
So named from the want of a wig.
We can't say that Ethelbald's reign was long lived,
Or happy the period his brother survived;
He was teazed by the Danes, who in England wou'd sway,
But died'ere he'd give the marauders their way.
| A Metrical History of England | |