Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/327

294 Justly I bought it and the price I paid. Give it, I pray you, that our strife may cease. Yet—if ye will not—let us to the hall Where, by his minster of the West, the King Sits to right wrong, with him who meetly wears The Ermine of the Lord Chief Justiceship." But Mason answered: "Sir, ye waste your words; The corn is Turings'. Freeman, when he sold And sent you bills of lading, had not paid The price he promised. Bankrupt now is he, And since I stopped it, lo! the corn was mine."

Then on a day when, in due order ranged, The judges, following their custom, sate To hear the plaints of those who suffer wrong, In the great hall, where the dim light beat through The many-colored panes, the knights drew near And cried for Justice. And when all was told Stood one grave judge before the rest and sang:—


 * This is the song, the Song of Ashurst, J.,
 * Let him who will, J. Ashurst's song gainsay;
 * He errs in counsel. Lo! I sing the law.


 * Dear is the right to stop in transitu
 * The goods unpaid for, when the seller knew
 * The buyer bankrupt. List! I sing the law.


 * Yet, if before the goods the seller takes,
 * The purchaser a due assignment makes,
 * No right remaineth. Lo! I sing the law.


 * This corn Lickbarrow from yon Freeman bought;
 * Justly he claimed the goods; and true he ought
 * To have them rendered. I have sung the law."

Thus ceased he, and the murmured plaudits rose As, for the plaintiff finding, he resumed His seat august. Then slowly from the hall The people passed away, and darkness fell Upon them with the night; and the gray mists Rose from the river, and the land was still.