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82

And next they fell to war thereon,

And each man kept whate’er he won

By force and fraud, and thus the strong

Beat back the weak—if right or wrong.

But if awhile they left their lands,

Arose some idle roving bands

Of rascals, who would forge within

Their dwellings, and their warnestore win.

And so among them ’twas agreed

To choose out one who might give heed

To all men’s surety, and adjudge

Each plaint of fraud, misdeed, or grudge

With upright, fair, impartial voice;

So gathered they to fix their choice.

HEN, from the host men set apart

A sturdy peasant, bold of heart,

Of mighty strength, and towering height,

Called him their lord, and gave him right

Above the rest. He stoutly sware

To guard them all with watchful care;

But each of ye, quoth he, must give

Dimes of your goods that I may live.

E’en as he asked it so befell,

As ancient books and records tell,

And many a year this compact he

Fulfilled, but robbers presently