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 |  |
107
“Bellona's bridegroom.”
Shakespeare.
Shakespeare.
“'Twas valour taught the art of war,
“To throw the lance and drive the car,
“Taught the bold warrior how to die,
“And bade the vanquish'd scorn to fly.
“And valour's self, to roam no more,
“Has come to Albion's white cliff'd shore.”
Leigh Hunt.
“To throw the lance and drive the car,
“Taught the bold warrior how to die,
“And bade the vanquish'd scorn to fly.
“And valour's self, to roam no more,
“Has come to Albion's white cliff'd shore.”
Leigh Hunt.
“We fought with swords! a brave man shrinks not at
death! from my early youth I have learn'd to dye the
steel of my lance in blood.”
Mallet's Northern Antiquities.
“How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!”
2 Samuel, chap. i.
EDMUND IRONSIDE.
Short was thy reign, thou gallant youth!
Tho' famed for valour, worth, and truth;
Thine unsuspicious soul ne'er thought,
Man's honour could be sold or bought.
And, trusting Edric's hollow guile,
Edric, by stratagem most vile,
In Sherstan's fight, with artful lie,
Caus'd thine embattled ranks to fly.
Tho' famed for valour, worth, and truth;
Thine unsuspicious soul ne'er thought,
Man's honour could be sold or bought.
And, trusting Edric's hollow guile,
Edric, by stratagem most vile,
108
Caus'd thine embattled ranks to fly.
Yet keen thy sword, and strong thine arm,
Which taught Canute to shrink from harm;
And rather England's rule divide
Than thy fierce prowess more abide:
At Athelney, where single fight,
Was arbiter of double right.
Which taught Canute to shrink from harm;
And rather England's rule divide
Than thy fierce prowess more abide:
At Athelney, where single fight,
Was arbiter of double right.
Edmund, tho' soon thy race was run,
Thy life immortal fame has won;
Thy cruel death in endless shame
Involves a hated traitor's name:
For not a year thy reign had known,
'Ere murder mark'd thee for his own.
Edric, cursed Edric closed thine eyes,
And carried to Canute as prize
Thy bleeding corse, requiring at his hand,
Advancement o'er the Peerage of the land.
Thy life immortal fame has won;
Thy cruel death in endless shame
Involves a hated traitor's name:
For not a year thy reign had known,
'Ere murder mark'd thee for his own.
Edric, cursed Edric closed thine eyes,
And carried to Canute as prize
109
Advancement o'er the Peerage of the land.
Th' indignant King assented with a frown,
And placed the traitor's head high o'er the regal town.
So the Amalekite, who Saul had slain,
Aspired from David rich reward to gain.
So they who slew the King of Israel's Son,
And deem'd the Royal Psalmist's favour won,
Found retribution: such just guerdon be,
In ev'ry age, the Meed of Treachery!
And placed the traitor's head high o'er the regal town.
So the Amalekite, who Saul had slain,
Aspired from David rich reward to gain.
So they who slew the King of Israel's Son,
And deem'd the Royal Psalmist's favour won,
Found retribution: such just guerdon be,
In ev'ry age, the Meed of Treachery!
| A Metrical History of England | |