Poems original and translated By John Herman Merivale ... A new and corrected edition with some additional pieces |
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 | Poems original and translated |  |
THIRTEENTH CENTURY.
John reigns in Ninety-nine, Plantagenet's youngest son,Who kills his nephew Arthur, rightful heir to England's throne;
From Normandy expell'd, and urged by wars at home,
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Then by his barons humbled, and forced with France to fight,
He Magna Charta signs, the lasting bulwark of our right.
Henry the Third succeeds his father in Sixteen,
And proves himself in action weak, irresolute, and mean.
His sire's extorted charter he threatens to revoke;
Then by his barons forced, confirms, and bends him to the yoke;
But soon by broken faith his perjured soul sets free,
While they, by potent Montfort led, proclaim their liberty.
Thence bloody wars ensue. At Lewes prisoner made,
The vanquish'd king his rescue owes to Edward's filial aid:
Montfort at Evesham pays to death the tribute due,
And Henry his inglorious reign concludes in Seventy-two.
Edward—the Fourth since Alfred—First since William reign'd—
Was stout of stature, and in arms a knightly fame obtain'd;
Against the barons leagued maintain'd his father's crown,
And, after, won in Palestine the meed of high renown:
There mourn'd his father's death, and thence returning king,
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Scotland and Wales attest his perjury and pride;
France, Spain, and Germany, his sense, high prized, and often tried.
England in him revered her lawgiver and sage,
Her second Alfred, sent to stamp his impress on the age.
| Poems original and translated | |