Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/298

 The Six Carpenters Case. ,

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Suggested that trespasses in-it-io Applied to the law in a different way; "If a sheriff," he says, "enters into Vaux's Inn And a trespass there did, notwithstanding his writ, His tortuous conduct would forfeit all claim And the leave of the law wouldn't help him a bit. But permission to enter, express or implied (In the case of a hostler, it's one or it's both) If exceeded in fact, as it was in this case, Will tax with a trespass," the Chief Justice quoth, "Not the whole of the action, but only the act In excess of the leave. If one enters of right And pockets a penny from Master Vaux's till, Tis larceny, sure, though it's done in the night." FYTTE THE FOURTH.

Master Vaux looked dejected and paid the law's bill; The six jolly topers filed leisurely out. The barristers laughed at their clients' expense, And mine host and the six paid the costs of the bout. The moral of this is: Good sir, if you drink, Pay the cost of the thing 'ere it passes your lips; If your spirits are more than you need for yourself, And you sell of the same to any who sips, Don't sue if not paid the full price of the bill, But insist that the old one is paid for before You fill up the subsequent bumpers to one Who enters unvouched-for the Sample Room door. Let the six jolly carpenters teach you at least The lesson that students of law schools all know, Tis only abuse of the law and the writ Makes a trespasser liable in-it-io.

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