For A Column At Runnymede

Mark Akenside

     Thou, 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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