Captain Barnwell/The bribed lawyers

THE BRIBED LAWYERS.

Draw near, good people,and I'll acquaint you,
how roguery doth overspread the land;
Great part of murder, of theft and robbery
the found is bribery whereon they stand.
For plants of murder, of theft and robbery,
the bribed Lawyers are fruitful soil;
Manure them well with unjust judges,
you'll have great increase for little toil.

If Justice rise up as weeds among them,
you need no hows for to how't away;
The strong manure and the soil unfitting,
will kill it dead in a deep decay.
When Justice sat on her throne in splendor,
all honest hearts in her did rejoice!
Usurping roguery has there dethron'd her,
and for their King he's the Lawyers' choice.

Now roguery fits on the throne of Justice,
and his Prime Minister is one M'N—e
The bribed Lawyers, his loyal subjects,
his power with splendor is arbatry.
For instance, there was a man call'd L—y,
gave five pounds bribe to a perjur'd whore;
The bribed Lawyers they join'd the roguery,
and for a false claim she falsely swore.

Tho' many witnesses overheard them,
old L—y bribing the perjur'd whore.
Yet not a witness durst be examin'd,
to hold up roguery firm and sure.
A Lawyer straight way was then employed,
to Court of Session to have it brought;
But robb'd his client of fifty shiliings,
back to the first Court the law-plea brought.

Another Lawyer he was employed
to Court of Session to have it brought,
Who said that it must go back the fourth time
where double roguery at first was wrought.
A thousand times to the Court of Session
you may appeal for to take a plea;
But bribed Lawyers will always bring it
back to the first Court in spite of thee:

A man was catch'd in that country stealing,
and by three witnesses prov'd a thief;
But was set free by the bribed Lawyers,
who are of rogues and of robbers chief.
The briber told me that five pounds bribed
both Court and Lawyer the thief to free;
The second Court-day the witnesses
they were cross-examin'd to make truth a lie.

The witnesses when their oath they signed,
they had no doubt but they sign'd the truth;
But many a false word was wrote before them,
that never, never came from their mouth.
This was a notable choice foundation
for Satan's kingdom to flourish more,
For shortly after, on New-year's morning,
was many robbed, and wounded sore.

But this made breaches in their intention,
for some was banish'd, and some did die;
Which caused them for to start inventions,
some other villainous tricks to try.
To mend the breaches of Satan's kingdom,
they at the high-ends began to strike;
But this enlarged the breaches wider,
it cost the fellow his very neck.

This did decrease them, and soon distress them,
and now their projects are private all;
But yet in spite of their fathers' forces,
their mother Babel and them will fall.
Where was this done, Sir, that you have told me?
In little France, it was told to me;
Some island into the French dominions,
I am supposing it to be.

FINIS.