The Goose and the Common: 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.

Students read this seventeenth-century rhyme on the closing of the English commons, then answer the questions. Click here to print this DBQ worksheet.