It was an unfortunate incident that the then Mayor was neither a moderate speaker, or well acquainted with the Queen’s English, and the mistakes and blunders that were made, under the eyes and ears of so many distinguished visitors, were a source of much annoyance to the better sort of people in the town, who had some sincere regard for the fame and honour of Dudley. However, this celebrated banquet was destined to have one Chronicler, who in the following lines records the proceedings.
DUDLEY CASTLE AND THE GREAT BANQUET.
By Solomon Squib.
I sing in praise of our old Castle Walls,
Its tilts and tournaments, fêtes and balls;
Of the great Dodo, and his humble bride,
Daughter of the far-famed Edmund Ironside,
Whose son Athelstan its Towers erected,
Whose successors its buildings for centuries protected;
Of the martial achievements of great Simon Ward,