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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EPIGRAM ON SEEING A PAIR OF SCALES IN A LAWYER'S OFFICE by ROYALL TYLER

First Line: LO HERE'S THE PLACE WHERE LAW PREVAILS
Last Line: "A SIGN THAT JUSTICE THERE IS SOLD."
Subject(s): CORRUPTION IN POLITICS; HYPOCRISY; LAW & LAWYERS;

LO here's the place where Law prevails
Where awful Justice lifts her scales;
The ancient poets all report
Thus Justice did appear in court
And nicely weighed in scale dependent
The rights of Plaintiff and Defendent.
"The story oft I've heard," adds Rufe,
"But never hoped to find it truth."

Says Ned: "In ancient times the name
Of Law and Justice was the same.
It may be true, what they report,
And Justice might preside at Court;
But in these modern times when trust is
Reposed in knaves (and Joe's a Justice);
When Squires, for law nor honour caring,
Pay off their laborers by swearing;
When fines fill up his Worship's Docket
And the State treasury his pocket;
Now, when you see the scales, and all
Suspended in his Worship's hall;
It is -- we need not to be told --
A sign that justice there is sold."



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