REIGNED FROM A.D. 1154 TO A.D. 1189.

H

ENRY THE SECOND1 now appears,

A King for four-and thirty years;
Reforms the state, curbs monkish pride,
(While Becket for resistance died,
Who would the regal pow'r pull down,)
Adds Ireland3 to the English crown;
But grief assails King HENRY's mind,
When Rosamond her life resign'd;
And rebel sons 5 perform their part
To break this royal monarch's heart.

The first of the royal line of the Plantagenets.

2 Thomas a-Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was killed by some adherents of the King, for insolence to that monarch. 3 Henry took part with Dermot, King of Leinster, and so got a footing in Ireland, 1172.

+ Fair Rosamond, the King's favourite, said to have been poisoned at Woodstock.

5 Henry, his son, who died before him, and Richard and John who succeeded him.

REIGNED FROM A.D. 1189 TO A.D. 1199.

OW COUR-DE-LION1 RICHARD rose

NOW

The FIRST, and terror of his foes.
Of chivalry the pride and boast,
Who conquer'd Saladin's proud host;
And made the British name renown'd,
'Midst Saracens on holy ground;
Returning home,3 base chiefs detain
The King, till ransom broke his chain.
But at the siege of Chaluz kill'd,

His course of honour he fulfill'd.
By Bertram Gourdan's arrow slain,

Ten years conclude his warlike reign.

He was surnamed Caur-de-lion, or the Lion-hearted, from his undaunted bravery.

2

3

Emperor of the Saracens.

Returning home in disguise, the Duke of Austria recognised him, and betrayed him to the Emperor, who kept him a prisoner, until he was discovered by the music of his harp, and ransomed.