Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/47

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OMICHUND vs. BARKER. Sm. L. C. 455, 7th Ed.

Temp., 1745.

[An oath, not being a distinctively Christian institution, may be administered according to any form binding on the conscience of the witness, provided he believe in a deity who will reward or pun ish him according to his deserts.'] rTHHE dusky Gentoo (Whoe'er he may be), The obdurate Jew, And the heathen Chinee, Though he swear in a manner peculiar, To swear as he chooses is free.

For in Orient clime, When they meant to be true, The men of old time Looking up at the blue, By the powers immortal they sware it — We swear by the Deity too.

From Homer of old To Grotius the sage, The vows are enrolled Of each varying age; And an oath is e'er sacred in Tully, And Tillotson's eloquent page.

What matters the rite, If we kiss with our lips The Gospels, or light Touch the hands and the tips Of the toes of a reverend Brahmin, Or request to be broken in chips,