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Polyolbion
Polyolbion (the “greatly blessed”), by Michael
Drayton, in thirty parts, called “songs,” It is a
topographical description of England.
Song i. The landing of Bruce.
Song ii. Dorsetshire, and the adventures of Sir Bevis of
Southampton.
Song iii. Somerset.
Song iv. Contention of the rivers of England and Wales respecting
Lundy—to which country it belonged.
Song v. Sabrina, as arbiter, decides that it is “allied
alike both to Enggland and Wales;” Merlin and Milford
Haven.
Song vi. The salmon and beaver of Twy; the tale of Sabrina; the
druids and bards.
Song vii. Hereford.
Song viii. Conquest of Britain by the Romans and by the
Saxons.
Song ix. Wales.
Song x. Merlin’s prophecies; Winifred’s well; defence
of the “tale of Brute” (1612).
Song xi. Cheshire, the religious Saxon kings.
Song xii. Shropshire and Staffordshire; the Saxon warrior kings;
and Guy of Warwick.
Song xiii. Warwick; Guy of Warwick concluded.
Song xiv. Gloucestershire.
Song xv. The marriage of Isis and Thame.
Song xvi. The Roman roads and Saxon kingdoms.
Song xvii. Surrey and Sussex; the sovereigns of England from
William to Elizabeth.
Song xviii. Kent; England’s great generals and sea-captains
(1613).
Song xix. Essex and Suffolk; English navigators. Song xx.
Norfolk.
Song xxi. Cambridge and Ely.
Song xxii. Buckinghamshire, and England’s intestine
battles. Song xxiii. Northamptonshire.
Song xxiv. Rutlandshire; and the British saints.
Song xxv. Lincolnshire.
Song xxvi. Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire; with the
story of Robin Hood.
Song xxvii. Lancashire and the Isle of Man. Song xxviii.
Yorkshire.
Song xxix. Northumberland.
Song xxx. Cumberland (1622).
