Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/145

 126

pleaded that she was an infant, and could not therefore be held answerable for what she had done, — the date of birth in Hun gary running according to the date of bap

tism, — and after serious cogitation, the tribunal decided the defence a good one; and that she, a woman of forty, was legally but six months old.

A COURT-ROOM REVERY. By " Amicus Curiae." A S unto the fire the back stick, So the judge is to the trial When forensic strife is kindled : Passive; slow to burn; in duty To the front he keeps the firebrands, — Keeps the tindery, flaming lawyers. But, of kindred stuff and nature, Well aglow and sympathetic, In their blaze and heat he revels. Nay, not all their heat avoiding, Oft he chars and stews and sputters, Wishing he were in the hottest; And when poor sticks and when crooked Fitful burn and smudge and sizzle, And obscure and clog the burning With their smoke, to blind the jury And put out the ends of justice; And when plaintiff and defendant Are at length consumed to ashes, And the jury in the embers Rakes, and finds which was the straightest, — Then the back-stick, tough and lasting, Always glowing, never burning, Has another set of lawyers Put before him, sets them going, And another " case " is opened; And so burns and shines unceasing, Human Law, thy fateful altar.