["The 'Ranges Act' constitutes ... a standing menace to rights
of common wherever commons and open spaces exist."--_The
Times_.]
"The old order changes, yielding place to new."
By Phoebus, you are right, mellifluous TENNYSON!
Could Norman WILLIAM this conjuncture view,
He'd greet our Progress with--well, scarce a benison;
He, though ranked high 'midst monarchs and commanders,
Had the same weakness as our troops in Flanders.
ROBERT the Devil's ruthless son would clear
A county to make coverts, deer-runs, chaces.
What had he thought of modern notions queer
Concerning Common Rights and Open Spaces?
"The People--who are varlets!--still oppose them,
Whether the Powers that be make or enclose them!"
"The People _versus_ Powers that Be!" Ah, yes!
Imperious Norman, that's a modern trial
That's always being argued more or less;
The Press keeps now such vigilant espial
On every grasping would-be public plunderer.
You, Sire, had not to reckon with "The Thunderer!"
Times change, stark soldier, and we have the _Times_
Premier to check and snub Chief Secretaries.
Counting land-grabbing high among earth's crimes
Would have amazed you! Public judgment varies.
You and your wolf-hound, WILLIAM, would not now
Try a "clean sweep,"--without a general row.
Ask OTTO! He is somewhat in your style,
But he could tell you what new risks environ
The ancient art of Ruling. You may smile
At Print and Paper _versus_ Blood and Iron,
But Sovereign and Crown, though loved by many,
Stand now no chance against the Popular Penny.
Ask Malwood's Squire again! He knows right well
The New Democracy,--and the New Forest;
_Our_ great Plantagenet, a true blue "Swell,"
Fights for the People when their need is sorest.
In Norman BILLY he'd own small belief;
The People's WILLIAM is _his_ favourite chief.
Your ghostly presence in these verdant glades
Might startle STANHOPE, musing on his Ranges,
But not the angriest of Royal Shades
May now arrest the progress of Time's changes.
True, much is yielded yet to Swelldom's "Sport,"
But some aver that even _its_ time is short.
No, Clearances and Rights of Common, now
Own not the sway of autocrats capricious.
Small use, great Shade, to knit that haughty brow,
And swear _your_ action would be expeditious.
The days of Curfew and of Forest Law
Are passed. _We_'re swayed by Justice--and Free Jaw!
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"FOR VALUE RECEIVED."--Aldgate Ward changed Alderman LUSK for one
POUND.
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[Illustration: WHAT OUR ARTIST HAS TO PUT UP WITH, BEFORE HE TURNS
LIKE A CRUSHED WORM.
_Our Art Critic_ (_patronisingly_). "HA--HUM! WELL, YOUR COLOUR IS
FAIRLY DECENT, AND YOU HAVE NICISH FEELING FOR LIGHT AND SHADE, AND
_CHIAROSCURO_. BUT WHERE YOB ALWAYS FAIL TO PLEASE, SOMEHOW, IS IN
YOUR _EXECUTION_!"
_Our Artist_. "MY _EXECUTION_? AH! JUST SO. I'VE NO DOUBT THAT
_YOURS_, NOW WOULD BE MORE GENERALLY POPULAR!"]
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