King Ethelbert
John Philips
(From Cider)
AND Sutton-Acres, drenched with regal blood
Of Ethelbert, when to the unhallowed feast
Of Mercian Offa he invited came
To treat of spousals; long connubial joys
He promised to himself, allured by fair
Elfrida’s beauty; but deluded died
In height of hopes. O hardest fate, to fall
By show of friendship and pretended love!
