"Stealing the Common from the Goose" 17th century commons poem

The law locks up the man or woman

Who steals the goose from off the common

But leaves the greater villain loose

Who steals the common from off the goose.



The law demands that we atone

When we take things we do not own

But leaves the lords and ladies fine

Who take things that are yours and mine.



The poor and wretched don’t escape

If they conspire the law to break;

This must be so but they endure

Those who conspire to make the law.



The law locks up the man or woman

Who steals the goose from off the common

And geese will still a common lack

Till they go and steal it back.