And turn with every wind and tide,
Puff'd on by ignorance and pride,
And all to look like gentry.

Crimes are not punish'd 'cause they're crimes,
But cause they're low and little:
Mean men for mean faults in these times
Make satisfaction to tittle;
While those in office and in power
Boldly the underlings devour,
Our cobweb laws can't hold 'em;
They sell for many a thousand crown
Things which were never yet their own,
And this is law and custom grown,
'Cause those do judge who sold 'em.

Brothers still with brothers brawl,
And for trifles sue 'em;
For two pronouns that spoil all
Contentious MEUM and TUUM.
The wary lawyer buys and builds
While the client sells his fields
To sacrifice his fury;
And when he thinks t' obtain his right,
He's baffled off or beaten quite
By the judge's will, or lawyer's slight,
Or ignorance of the jury.

See the tradesman how he thrives
With perpetual trouble: