XLV.

And all the reverend bench of Lincoln's Inn,

Then present, blush'd, sore vex'd at this exposure; Each man, on being ask'd if in this sin

He'd had a hand, he quickly answer'd, "No, sure!" To wit, Anstruther, Martin, and Erskine :

Then follow'd such an unexpected closure, Pronounc'd with dignity, by Master Stephen, That made all matters (odd before) quite even.

XLVI.

He hail'd the poverty whence lawyers spring-
Ah! sometimes sager than have sprung from

riches!

In unison with him, their wants I sing

Whom love of legal eminence bewitches.

Methinks I see them all.

a glorious string!

In marble busts and statues, plac'd in niches

Each pointing to, or actually touching

With stone fore-finger, his respective scutcheon.

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XLVII.

Oh! is there not a Sheridan a Stephen -
A Commons' member or a Chancery master
To teach the world that seeing is believing,

And extricate the " ones" from this disaster? (17 Mayhap some chubby boy is now receiving

His seeds of after-fame from such a pastor As the particular attorney Clifford

Talks of, who taught attorney-general Gifford;

XLVIII.

Or Saunders, C. J., skill'd at a report

Chancellor Hardwicke, who pronounc'd decrees Like wisdom's self, (this Mansfield spoke, in short,)→ Strange, Kenyon, Willes, (erst lord chief justices)— Chief baron Stay, of the Exchequer Court

Two of their lordships of the Common Pleas Of whom 'tis said, they once were dashing sparks, And serv'd their clerkships as attorneys' clerks.

XLIX.

In fact judge Saunders was a beggar lad, (18)

And afterwards he scribbled for his food; And then he was with some attorney sad,

And I've no doubt on earth it did him good. About his frame he bore some issues bad,

Of which he bragg'd; - but be it understood He was no gentleman, as I suppose,

Having ale or brandy always at his nose.

L.

But then you know he was a child of spirit,

And rose from nought-his poorness notwith

standing.

I like a man rising alone from merit

It shows a genius powerful and commanding.

Unmarried he

that is, he had no ferret

ing wife, continually reprimanding;

And as to issue - why, he said, "Good lack! "I want not them—I've two upon my back!"

LI.

Och! he was very offensive on the bench

To all the judges, who with finger and thumb Squeez'd their nice nostrils-he made such a stench Whenever he did near his brethren come.

Yet he could write and talk Latin and French;
And for his law, he own'd a weighty sum;
He chang'd not oft his clothes or residence,
And like a beggar liv'd, at no expense.

LII.

Hardwicke! a generous and a noble youth, (19)

Has had no equal since

and that's the truth

Except our present chancellor, Earl Eldon.

Good unexpected springs from things uncouth:Hardwicke uprose by virtue of a Beldam

His master's wife.

--

a termagant! a novice!

Who ill-us'd all her husband's clerks in office.

LIII.

Much given she to hauteur and contention!
She little dreamt that this poor little fellow
Would one day thank her for her vile intention
Of sending him for cauliflowers yellow.
His angry gills redden'd at the bare mention;

He toss'd his head; -with indignation mellow, He said (said he), "Though I'm my master's clerk, it "Follows not, therefore, that I go to market.

LIV.

"Am I to take about your wicker basket
"Under my arm? I vow it makes me savage.
"I am surpris'd how you can think to ask it,

"Or expect me to run after your cabbage!

Being full of wrath and ire, I will not mask it; "Immediately I'll pack up all my baggage."

"All! (quoth the lady) that surely never much shall Be, which will rest in the compass of a nut-shell."

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