At length with meanness equal to his pride, To serve a Prince who owns himself a slave. And soon, of filaments from this disgrace Winding The following short sketch of what the people gained by Magna Charta, is an abridgement from Hume, by the ingenious James Petit Andrews. "Immunities granted to Barons, are extended to their vassals.” "No Baron to levy money from his vassals, except for attend"ing the King to war, repairing his castles, and the highways " and bridges." "Measures to be equal through the realm." "Merchants not to be illegally taxed." "Free egress, and regress to Freemen." "Cities to preserve their privileges, and only to be taxed by "Parliament." "Bridges to be equitably built or supported." "Freemen to dispose of goods by will, or, if intestate, their "next heir to succeed." "The King's Purveyor not to sieze goods, &c." "Courts space Winding beneath the earth, a spacious range While witchery of fancy brings to view "Courts of Justice not to follow the King, but to be statio " nary, open, and equal to all men" 66 "Justice not to be paid for, nor refused to any one, (this was a necessary proviso in a realm where bribes were received by the "King to a great amount, and shamelessly set down in books kept for that purpose,) Sheriffs not to put any one on trial with"out good cause and lawful witnesses." "No Freeman to be in any way injured in person or goods, " except by the law of the land. [Query,-would that be an injury, "D.] Redress to be given to those who have suffered illegally. "No extravagant fines to be levied on Freemen. No villain, i. e. "rustic, to be deprived of his cart or other instruments of hus"bandry by fine." * At Reigate, in Surrey, it is still called "THE Baron's CAVE." Who Who proud of martial splendour, shone in arms, There mitred LANGTON, with FITZWALTER brave, Which bursting into day at RUNNIMEDE, The King's bad faith the civil wars renew'd, Of monks and poison,) JOHN respired his last.* * The story of John's being poisoned at Swinestead Abbey is of a late date, and deserves no credit. ANDERSON. END OF PART THE FOURTH. |