Magna Carta Poem by Marriott Edgar

Magna Carta

Rating: 2.9


I'll tell of the Magna Charter
As were signed at the Barons' command
On Runningmead Island in t' middle of t' Thames
By King John, as were known as "Lack Land."

Some say it were wrong of the Barons
Their will on the King so to thrust,
But you'll see if you look at both sides of the case
That they had to do something, or bust.

For John, from the moment they crowned him,
Started acting so cunning and sly,
Being King, of course, he couldn't do wrong,
But, by gum, he'd a proper good try.

He squandered the ratepayers' money,
All their cattle and corn did he take,
'Til there wasn't a morsel of bread in the land,
And folk had to manage on cake.

The way he behaved to young Arthur
Went to show as his feelings was bad;
He tried to get Hubert to poke out his eyes,
Which is no way to treat a young lad.

It were all right him being a tyrant
To vassals and folks of that class,
But he tried on his tricks with the Barons an' all,
And that's where he made a 'faux pas'.

He started bombarding their castles,
And burning them over their head,
'Til there wasn't enough castles left to go round,
And they had to sleep six in a bed.

So they went to the King in a body,
And their spokesman, Fitzwalter by name,
He opened the 'ole in his 'elmet and said,
Conciliatory like, " What's the game?"

The King starts to shilly and shally,
He sits and he haws and he hums,
'Til the Barons in rage started gnashing their teeth,
And them with no teeth gnashed their gums

Said Fitz, through the 'ole in his 'elmet,
"It was you as put us in this plight."
And the King having nothing to say to this, murmured
"Leave your address and I'll write".

This angered the gallant Fitzwalter;
He stamped on the floor with his foot,
And were starting to give John a rare ticking off,
When the 'ole in his 'elmet fell shut.

"We'll get him a Magna Charter,"
Said Fitz when his face he had freed;
Said the Barons "That's right and if one's not enough,
Get a couple and happen they'll breed.''

So they set about making a Charter,
When at finish they'd got it drawn up,
It looked like a paper on cattle disease,
Or the entries for t' Waterloo Cup.

Next day, King John, all unsuspecting,
And having the afternoon free,
To Runningmead Island had taken a boat,
And were having some shrimps for his tea.

He'd just pulled the 'ead off a big 'un,
And were pinching its tail with his thumb,
When up came a barge load of Barons, who said,
"We thought you'd be here so we've come"

When they told him they'd brought Magna Charter,
The King seemed to go kind of limp,
But minding his manners he took off his hat
And said " Thanks very much, have a shrimp."

" You'd best sign at once," said Fitzwalter,
" If you don't, I'll tell thee for a start
The next coronation will happen quite soon,
And you won't be there to take part."

So they spread Charter out on t' tea table,
And John signed his name like a lamb,
His writing in places was sticky and thick
Through dipping his pen in the jam.

And it's through that there Magna Charter,
As were signed by the Barons of old,
That in England to-day we can do what we like,
So long as we do what we're told.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Ramesh T A 04 September 2015

It reminds me of hen pecked husband story!

1 4 Reply
Rahman Henry 04 September 2015

very well written poem. Like it.

2 3 Reply
James Mclain 04 September 2015

Exquisite oright to be free.. iip

2 3 Reply
Kim Barney 04 September 2015

I haven't cared much lately for PH's choices for Poem of the Day, but I actually chuckled at this one. I especially liked the lines the Barons in rage started gnashing their teeth, And them with no teeth gnashed their gums and That in England to-day we can do what we like, So long as we do what we're told. Good choice, Poem Hunter. I'm adding it to my favorite poem list!

1 4 Reply
Rachel 20 November 2017

this is very good! it is very educational

4 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 05 March 2023

It IS THE MAGNA CARTE, this era we have had in history! Perfect choice as The Classic Poem Of The Day!

0 0 Reply
Frank Maudsley 16 March 2018

About 54 Years ago my English teacher recited this to the class. Now at 68 Years of age this brought back many happy memories. Strange the things that stay in your head, I never forgot the last stanza.

5 1 Reply
caty blake 20 November 2017

very good indeed it is not erev lantg!

3 1 Reply
fvfgrj80r, , rr, j99tt 20 November 2017

7gyeukrrrttthjtfggggggggggfdbh57mint6fmuif, tns.

0 4 Reply
fvfgrj80r, , rr, j99tt 20 November 2017

7gyeukrrrttthjtfggggggggggfdbh57mint6fmuif, tns

0 4 Reply
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Marriott Edgar

Marriott Edgar

Kirkcudbright / Scotland
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