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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A TRIAL IN NEW AMSTERDAM, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Ye who have chafed at the law's delays Last Line: "verdict for plaintiff. Said beer was good." Subject(s): New England; New York City - Dutch Period; Trials | |||
YE who have chafed at the law's delays And the tedious trials of later days -- Ye who have laughed at the sage pretense That ponders ridiculous evidence -- Hear of a process, devoid of sham, In the trim little town of New Amsterdam. Burgher Jan Haeckius standeth here Claiming his due for a keg of beer Sold -- on the record this fact stands proven -- To crafty Jacobus Van Couwenhouven. Cometh Jacobus, that wily man, Boldly admitting the sale by Jan, Natheless maintaining no pay is due, Seeing the beer is a worthless brew, Muddy of color and flat and sour, Drawn from the vat in an evil hour. Further, he claimeth of startled Jan Gold for redress of his inner man. What did the worshipful Schepens do? Think you they summoned a learned crew Laden with volumes, retorts, and vials Such as bewilder our modern trials? Nothing of ptomaines nor germs knew they; Naught of the microbe that stalks by day; Nothing they knew of those wondrous men Skilled in the slights of the subtle pen. Nothing they knew of our modern shame -- Perjury sanctioned by Learning's name. The highway to Justice was broad and clear: "Court is adjourned to inspect the beer." Out to the open the jury wan With doubtful Jacobus and hopeful Jan. Nothing was heard for an hour or twain But mellow gurgles, the soft refrain Of deep-drawn breathing and smack of zest That tell of the spirit of man at rest, While the jury, seated along a fence, Absorbed and digested the evidence. Seemly the session, though all too short E'en for the litigants. Soon the Court Gravely convened at its former stand, Wiping its mouth on the back of its hand, And spake with conviction, as jurors should: "Verdict for plaintiff. Said beer was good." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SUBCULTURE OF THE WRONGLY ACCUSED by THYLIAS MOSS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION BLUES (1993) by ELIZABETH ALEXANDER A LONG LINE OF DOCTORS by CAROLYN KIZER JACK KNUCKLES FALTER by KENNETH FEARING DORA VERSUS ROSE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON THE WASPS: THE TRIAL OF THE DOG by ARISTOPHANES THE LAY OF MR. COLT by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN |
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