STRAY NOTES, PREHISTORIC, SAXON, AND NORMAN. 229
 Let even measure, for justice sake
Be given in sight of God and man ;
That the plaintiff his complaint may make,
And the defendant answer—if he can."
The Frohner, having placed the seat in the middle of the plot,
proceeds:
" Sir Graff, Master brave
I remind you of your honour here,
And moreover that I am your Knave ;
Tell me, therefore, for law sincere,
If these mete-wands are even and sure,
Fit for the rich and fit for the poor,
Both to measure land and condition,
Tell me as you would eschew perdition."
And, so speaking, he laid the mete-wand on the ground. The
Graff then began to try the measure, by placing his right foot against
the wand, and he was followed by the other Free Echevins in rank
and order, according to seniority. The length of the mete-wand
being thus proved, the Frohner spoke for the third time :
" Sir Graff, I ask by permission
If I with your mete-wand may mete,
Openly and without displeasure,
Here the King's free judgment seat."
And the Graff replied :
" I permit right,
And I forbid wrong,
Under the pains and penalties
That to the old known laws belong."
Now was the time of measuring the mystic plot : it was measured
by the mete-wand along and athwart, and when the dimensions were
found to be true, the Graff placed himself in the seat of judgment
and gave the charge to the assembled Free Echevins, warning them
to pronounce judgment according to right and justice :
" On this day with consent,
And under the clear firmament,
A free field court is established here
In the open eye of day ;
Enter soberly ye who may.
The seat in its place is pight,
The mete-wand is found to be right,
 Declare your judgments without delay,
And let the doom be truly given
While yet the Sun shines bright in heaven."