Court-house

"—Yes sir, a court-house!"—Pray explain for what, To mend old shoes or harbour senseless chat? Or lodge a Prince? Or be a school for law, Where scolding barristers expound a flaw?— Built for the law and for the public use, No empty head should here the seat abuse; No mean pretender should decree the cause, No vacant judge should here pronounce the laws; Justice is sacred; once its course debas'd, A nation's character is soon effac'd; Freedom unlaw'd may raise her banners high, But justice only lifts them to the sky.

'Tis strange to see some cyphers sit in state, To deal the law or hear the learn'd debate, Decide on matters foreign to their skill, Led by dark precedent—more foreign still: Is men of worth, of real merit, scarce, That such should act this lawful laughing farce? Go search them out and let the laws be giv'n By those of genius favor'd most by heav'n, Clear, deep and tutor'd well in right and wrong, With head and heart to prompt a ready tongue, Bred to the bench and not for fortune made A judge by rule, a S. C. M. by trade— Tho' all are useful in their proper sphere, But reason tells me that it is not here. How would a cobler judge a cobler's plea? With partial verdict ev'ry eye may see; Or where's the merchant when the point's his own That would not wish his adversary thrown To raise his gain? And self-excus'd would say, " 'T was making money in an honest way?"