Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, EPILOGUE TO 'THE APPEAL'; SPOKEN BY MRS. HENRY SIDDONS, by WALTER SCOTT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EPILOGUE TO 'THE APPEAL'; SPOKEN BY MRS. HENRY SIDDONS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A cat of yore (or else old aesop lied)
Last Line: We hold you court and counsel, judge and jury.
Subject(s): Siddons, Sarah Kemble (1755-1831)


A CAT of yore (or else old AEsop lied)
Was changed into a fair and blooming bride,
But spied a mouse upon her marriage-day,
Forgot her spouse, and seized upon her prey;
Even thus my bridegroom lawyer, as you saw,
Threw off poor me, and pounced upon papa.
His neck from Hymen's mystic knot made loose,
He twisted round my sire's the literal noose.
Such are the fruits of our dramatic labour
Since the New Jail became our next door neighbour.

Yes, times are changed; for, in your fathers' age,
The lawyers were the patrons of the stage;
However high advanced by future fate,
There stands the bench [points to the Pit] that first received their weight.
The future legal sage, 'twas ours to see,
Doom though unwigg'd, and plead without a fee.

But now, astounding each poor mimic elf,
Instead of lawyers comes the law herself;
Tremendous neighbour, on our right she dwells,
Builds high her towers and excavates her cells;
While on the left she agitates the town,
With the tempestuous question, Up or down?
'Twixt Scylla and Charybdis thus stand we,
Law's final end, and law's uncertainty.
But, soft! who lives at Rome the Pope must flatter,
And jails and lawsuits are no jesting matter.
Then -- just farewell! We wait with serious awe
Till your applause or censure gives the law.
Trusting our humble efforts may assure ye,
We hold you Court and Counsel, Judge and Jury.





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