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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
Dibdin, Thomas (1771-1841)

collapse sectionI. 
VOL. I.
  
[dedication]
  
INTRODUCTION.
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PART THE FIRST.
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[section]
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THE ANCIENT BRITONS.
  
[section]
  
CŒDWALLA to EDDA.
  
EDDA to CŒDWALLA.
  
COURTSHIP of the CANAILLE.
  
The MAIDEN's REPLY.
  
[section]
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[section]
  
THE ROMANS.
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[section]
  
THE BRITONS.
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[section]
  
THE SAXONS.
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[section]
  
THE HEPTARCHY.
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THE KINGDOM OF KENT.
  
THE KINGDOM OF KENT.
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KINGDOM OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
  
KINGDOM OF NORTHUMBERLAND.
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THE KINGDOM OF EAST-ANGLIA.
  
THE KINGDOM OF EAST-ANGLIA.
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THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA.
  
THE KINGDOM OF MERCIA.
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THE KINGDOM OF ESSEX,
  
THE KINGDOM OF ESSEX,
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THE KINGDOM OF SUSSEX,
  
THE KINGDOM OF SUSSEX,
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THE KINGDOM OF WESSEX,
  
THE KINGDOM OF WESSEX,
 2. 
PART THE SECOND.
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PART THE THIRD.
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[section]
  
EDWARD THE MARTYR.
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[section]
  
ETHELRED THE UNREADY.
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[section]
  
EDMUND IRONSIDE.
  
DANISH SOVEREIGNS.
  
THE SAXON LINE RESTORED.
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PART THE FOURTH.
  
THE NORMANS.
  
LINE OF PLANTAGENET;
 5. 
PART THE FIFTH.
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PART THE SIXTH.
  
HOUSE of LANCASTER.
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VOL. II.
  
[dedication]
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PART THE SEVENTH.
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HOUSE of YORK.
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EDWARD THE FOURTH.
  
EDWARD THE FOURTH.
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[subsection]
  
EDWARD THE FIFTH.
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RICHARD III. surnamed CROOKBACK.
  
THE VICTIMS,
  
HOUSE of TUDOR,
 8. 
PART THE EIGHTH.
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PART THE NINTH.
  
HOUSE OF STUART.
 10. 
PART THE TENTH.
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PART THE ELEVENTH.
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WILLIAM and MARY.
  
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AIR.
  
[section]
  
HOUSE of STUART.
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PART THE TWELFTH.
  
HOUSE of BRUNSWICK.

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87

LOVE TALE THE FIRST.

Wilfrida was the fairest of the fair;
So thought the King, for lovers think on stilts;
Which made her parents, with most proper care,
Immure her in a Nunnery of Wilts.
(Whether 'twas Amesbury, where ancient Q
Imported Nuns from France, I never knew.)
King Edgar, living in such days as those,
When Dunstan took the Devil by the nose,
Was doubtful in what manner to proceed.
Now Dunstan and the Devil were not foes
(But in appearance) for, tout autre chose,
They help'd each other in the time of need.
To Dunstan quoth Old Nick, “My plans 'twill aid,
“If Edgar from yon abbey force the maid,
88

“Then, prithee, brother Dunny, don't impede him.”
Quoth Dunstan to Old Nick, “'Tis my design
“To let him take her, then a glorious fine,
“I'll levy first, and next the Pope shall bleed him.”
In short, the Monarch took the Nun away,
There was, in consequence, I scarce need say,
The Devil and the Friar both to pay.
 

Hume calls this lady Edita; she is, by another author named Wolfchild.

The Monks whom Dunstan and Edgar put in possession of Convents, were so nearly perfect, that they knew nothing of religion but continence and obedience. Ingulphus.

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