In matters small or great.

* * * *

For sundry wise precautions,
The sages of the law
Discreetly framed, whereby they aimed
To keep the rogues in awe.

For lest some sturdy criminal
False witnesses should bring--
_His witnesses were not allowed
To swear to any thing_.

And lest his oily advocate
The court should overreach,
_His advocate was not allowed
The privilege of speech_.

Yet such was the humanity
And wisdom of the law!
That if in his indictment there
Appeared to be a flaw--

The court assigned him counsellors,
To argue on the doubt,
_Provided he himself had first
Contrived to point it out_.

Yet lest their mildness should perchance