The Magna Charter Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABCB DBEB FGHG IJBJ GBKB BLML NOBB IPBP MQRQ BBGB GBSB GBTB GUVU WGBG IXDX GYBY GBIB MZA2Z GBB2B| I'll tell of the Magna Charter | A |
| As were signed at the Barons' command | B |
| On Runningmead Island in t'middle of t'Thames | C |
| By King John as were known as Lackland | B |
| - | |
| Some say it were wrong of the Barons | D |
| Their will on the King so to thrust | B |
| But you'll see if you look at both sides of the case | E |
| That they had to do something or bust | B |
| - | |
| For John from the moment they crowned him | F |
| Started acting so cunning and sly | G |
| Being King of course he couldn't do wrong | H |
| But by gum he'd a proper good try | G |
| - | |
| He squandered the ratepayer's money | I |
| All their cattle and corn he did take | J |
| 'Til there wasn't a morsel of bread in the land | B |
| And the folk had to manage with cake | J |
| - | |
| The way he behaved to young Arther | G |
| Went to show as his feelings were bad | B |
| He tried to get Hubert to poke out his eyes | K |
| Which is no way to treat a young lad | B |
| - | |
| It were all right his being a tyrant | B |
| To vassals and folk of that class | L |
| But he tried on his tricks with the Barons 'an all | M |
| And that's where he made a Faux Pass | L |
| - | |
| He started bombarding their castles | N |
| And burning them over their heads | O |
| 'Till there wasn't enough castles left to go round | B |
| And they had to sleep six in a bed | B |
| - | |
| So they went to the King in a body | I |
| And their spokesman Fitzwalter by name | P |
| He opened the 'ole in his helmet and said | B |
| Concil latory like What's the game | P |
| - | |
| The King starts to shilly and shally | M |
| He sits and he haws and he hums | Q |
| 'Till the Barons in rage started gnashing their teeth | R |
| And them with no teeth gnashed their gums | Q |
| - | |
| Said Fitz though the 'ole in his 'elmet | B |
| It was you as put us in this plight | B |
| And the King having nothing to say to this 'ere | G |
| Murmured Leave your address and I'll write | B |
| - | |
| This angered the gallant Fitzwalter | G |
| He stamped on the floor with his foot | B |
| And were starting to give John a rare ticking off | S |
| When the 'ole in his 'elmet fell shut | B |
| - | |
| We'll get him a Magna Charter | G |
| Said Fitz when his face he had freed | B |
| Said the Barons That's right and if ones not enough | T |
| Get a couple and happen they'll breed | B |
| - | |
| So they set about making a charter | G |
| When at finish they'd got it all drawn up | U |
| It looked like a paper on cattle disease | V |
| Or the entries for next years World Cup | U |
| - | |
| Next day King John unsuspecting | W |
| And having the afternoon free | G |
| To Runningmead Island had taken a boat | B |
| And were having some shrimps for his tea | G |
| - | |
| He had just pulled the 'ead off a big 'un | I |
| And were pinching its tail with his thumb | X |
| When up came a barge load of Barons | D |
| Who said We thought you'd be here so we've come | X |
| - | |
| When they told him they'd brought Magna Charter | G |
| The King seemed to go kind of limp | Y |
| But minding his manners he took off his hat | B |
| And said Thanks very much have a shrimp | Y |
| - | |
| You'd best sign at once said Fitzwalter | G |
| If you don't I'll tell thee for a start | B |
| The next coronation will happen quite soon | I |
| And you won't be there to take part | B |
| - | |
| So they spread Charter out on t'tea table | M |
| And John signed his name like a lamb | Z |
| His writing in places was sticky and thick | A2 |
| Through dipping his pen in the jam | Z |
| - | |
| And it's through that there Magna Charter | G |
| As were signed by the Barons of old | B |
| That in England today we can do what we like | B2 |
| Just so long as we do what we're told | B |
Marriott Edgar
(1)
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