Page:Scoundrel Will's advice to his sons.pdf/12

12 10. How can ye stand before a court,

And there with truth and justieejustice [sic] sport;

If any misereantsmiscreants [sic] can resort

To what you tell ;

There cannot be a blacker sort

Of fiends in h-ll.

11. The loopy thimble-rigging squad,

Whom law condemns, are not so bad

As you, the paragons of fraud,

Who mankind gnaw,

And strut about, well fed and clad,

Defying law.

12. With robbers on the Queen's highway,

McnMen [sic] may get something like fair play:

They may retreat, or keep at bay,

In self-defence;

But with you rascals, where have they

The smallest chance?

13. There's simple Symon down the gate,

You dragg'd him to the eourtcourt [sic] of late;

A cow you swore he sold you at

Half-price when fou;

Though all a lie, yet what of that?

You got the cow.

14. A baker oncconce [sic] to court you brought

For wheat returned, you said was bought.

Sample and stock compared, he thought

Did not agree;

Though he was right, yet that was nought,

You won the plea.

15. With grief and pain, the truth to state.

You wronged the man, though he was beat;

He had, for sending back the wheat,

Occasion ample:

Yet ye maintained he was the cheat,

And ehangedchanged [sic] the sample.