Thy common, Finchley, next we measure,
Whose woodland views would give us pleasure,
But that they many a wretch exhibit,
Too near the high road, on a gibbet;
Hence men may guess, without much skill,
Here have been rogues—and may be still.
Finchley Common was enclosed in 1816.
The area was notorious for highwaymen. Many of the highwaymen who were caught and hanged were gibbetted there.