“Priest-ridden by a man
“Of an unbounded stomach, ever ranking
“Himself with Princes.”
Shakespeare.
“They who possess the Prince, possess the laws.’
Dryden.
EDRED.
The name of Edred we record in vain,
For this was properly Saint Dunstan's
reign.
Specious, yet haughty, full of smiling evil,
And more than match, he boasted, for the Devil.
“In friendship false, implacable in hate,
“Resolv'd to ruin or to rule the state.”
The King, whose sword subdu'd a rebel crowd,
Before the supercilious Churchman bow'd!
The Monk, entrusted with supreme command,
Ruled England's Monarch with an iron hand,
Pow'rless the sceptre, yielding Edred sway'd.
Not his but Dunstan's wishes were obeyed;
'Till Death, who spares nor prince nor peasant swain,
Releas'd the master from his servant's chain.
