Oh, had but then some tight built ships, and tars, Like modern TRIGGES, and TROLLOPES, round them cruised: How brief had been their predatory wars, What trouble had my readers been excused! O'er Thanet, now the scene of summer mirth, Demand in Kent to share, with British birth, "A local habitation and a name." While ETHELWOLF, who shou'd have made them run, (As gallic navies since at NELSON's fame), Gave to ATHELSTAN, as his eldest son, One half the Kingdom-and ('twas more than shame!) Instead of watching England's weal at home, He went on pious pilgrimage to Rome. To Rome, who having then no arms to rule us, Deputed Monks to govern and befool us. And And, well I wot, the Pope was glad to see him, Who paid Priests, Deacons, Choristers and all, With pockets full of England's gold to fee him, And purchase lamps for Peter and for Paul*. At home he found affairs had changed their faces; His first son dead, and ETHELBALD, the next, Usurper of his Sire's and Brother's places, The former's weakness furnishing pretext. Scarce do the Son and Sire the land divide, When the King feed the Monks once more, and died': To future reigns the people turn their hope, * One of the pious pretences under which the papal see obtained money from bigotted princes was that of selling sacred lamps to burn before figures of the apostles. SUMMARY SUMMARY OF THE REIGNS OF ETHELBALD AND ETHELBERT. Began to reign conjunctly, A. D. 857. Ethelbald married his mother-in-law, Queen Judith. Died 859. Ethelbert died 866. Neither had issue; and both were buried at Sherborne, in Dorsetshire, from whence Ethelbald was afterwards removed to Salisbury. PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Continued scenes of trouble with the Danes. EMINENT PERSONS. Swithun, bishop of Winchester. Osryck, earl of Hamptou. Lambert and Ethelhard, archbishops of Canterbury. ETHELBALD AND ETHELBERT. "This crown I part between you." SHAKESPEARE. ETHELWULPH's grants to the Clergy were such, Let this lesson œconomy teach, From the State to the Church he had given so much, His Sons got but HALF a CROWN each. But, then he'd two younger lads, critics may cry, Perhaps so, we'll talk about them by and bye. Prince ETHELBERT proved himself worthy his birth, I can't say as much for his Brother, Who being the veriest monster on earth, Was actually wed to his Mother In law, Lady Judith,-not she who so called But daughter to Emperor Charley, the bald, We can't say that ETHELBALD's reign was long lived, Or happy the period his brother survived; He was teazed by the Danes, who in England wou'd sway, But died 'ere he'd give the marauders their way. SUMMARY SUMMARY OF THE REIGN OF ETHERED. Began to reign, A. D. 866. and a daughter, named Thyre. battle at Basing, and died at Wimborne, in Dorsetshire. Had issue, Alfred, Oswald, Received a mortal wound in Wittington, 872. Buried at PRINCIPAL EVENTS. Danish hostilities; and a great plague in England. EMINENT PERSONS. Osbricht and Ella, Northumbrian Princes, who were killed while bravely opposing the Danes. |