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)

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RICHARD III. surnamed CROOKBACK.

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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,

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In Sherstan's fight, with artful lie,
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.

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

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Thy bleeding corse, requiring at his hand,
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!

Edric, observing the Danes gave ground, raised the bleeding head of a soldier on the point of a spear, and cried aloud, “Haro, Haro, flee Englonde! dead is Edmunde!” He afterwards betrayed Edmund at the battle of Asandone, or Ashdon, in Essex.

Edmund perceiving Canute at the head of his forces, rode off from his own, and Canute advancing, a furious combat ensued, in which neither having much advantage, they agreed to divide the kingdom. The author of the Medulla Historiæ Anglicanæ, says, Canute was wounded and first proposed forbearance.