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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“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.

The Monks in England married and supported their families with decency until the reign of Edred, when Dunstan introduced celibacy, and tore their wives and children from the Priests, styling them harlots and bastards. Script. Angl. Passim.

Dryden.