FOR A COLUMN AT RUNNYMEDE
by: Mark Akenside (1721-1770)
- HOU, who
the verdant plain dost traverse here
- While Thames among his willows from thy view
- Retires; O stranger, stay thee, and the scene
- Around contemplate well. This is the place
- Where England's ancient barons, clad in arms
- And stern with conquest, from their tyrant king
- (Then rendered tame) did challenge and secure
- The charter of thy freedom. Pass not on
- Till thou hast blest their memory, and paid
- Those thanks which God appointed the reward
- Of public virtue. And if chance thy home
- Salute thee with a father's honour'd name,
- Go, call thy sons: instruct them what a debt
- They owe their ancestors; and make them swear
- To pay it, by transmitting down entire
- Those sacred rights to which themselves were born.
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POEMS BY MARK AKENSIDE |
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