THE TAKING OF LINCOLN.
[From MS. Cotton. Vespas. B. XIII. fol. 130, vo. in a hand of the beginning of the 14th Cent.]
¶ Incipiunt versus de Guerra Regis Johannis.
Serpserat Angligenam rabies quadrangula gentem.
In proprium jurata jugum, motuque minaci
Gens sibi degenerans, ut libera serviat, alta
Corruat, incolumis ægrotet, tuta pavescat,
Vendicat antiquas inimico consule leges;
Non legis libra, non juris luce, nec igne
Sacri consilii, sed nec lima rationis,