Trades and Professions of every Kind to be found in the Borough--Its Seamen and Soldiers--Law, the Danger of the Subject--Coddrington's Offence--Attorneys increased; their splendid Appearance, how supported--Some worthy Exceptions--Spirit of Litigation, how stirred up--A Boy articled as a Clerk; his Ideas--How this Profession perverts the Judgment--Actions appear through this Medium in a false Light--Success from honest Application--Archer a worthy Character--Swallow a Character of different Kind--His Origin, Progress, Success, &c. LETTER VI. _PROFESSIONS--LAW._ "Trades and Professions"--these are themes the Muse, Left to her freedom, would forbear to choose; But to our Borough they in truth belong, And we, perforce, must take them in our song. Be it then known that we can boast of these In all denominations, ranks, degrees; All who our numerous wants through life supply, } Who soothe us sick, attend us when we die, } Or for the dead their various talents try. } Then have we those who live by secret arts, 10 By hunting fortunes, and by stealing hearts; Or who by nobler means themselves advance; Or who subsist by charity and chance. Say, of our native heroes shall I boast, Born in our streets, to thunder on our coast-- Our Borough-seamen? Could the timid Muse More patriot-ardour in their breasts infuse; Or could she paint their merit or their skill, She wants not love, alacrity, or will; But needless all: that ardour is their own, 20 And, for their deeds, themselves have made them known. Soldiers in arms! Defenders of our soil! } Who from destruction save us; who from spoil } Protect the sons of peace who traffic, or who toil: } Would I could duly praise you; that each deed Your foes might honour, and your friends might read: This too is needless; you've imprinted well Your powers, and told what I should feebly tell. Beside, a Muse like mine, to satire prone, Would fail in themes where there is praise alone. 30 --Law shall I sing, or what to Law belongs? Alas! there may be danger in such songs; A foolish rhyme, 'tis said, a trifling thing, The law found treason, for it touch'd the king. But kings have mercy in these happy times, Or surely _one_ had suffer'd for his rhymes; Our glorious Edwards and our Henrys bold, So touch'd, had kept the reprobate in hold; But he escaped--nor fear, thank Heav'n, have I, Who love my king, for such offence to die. 40 But I am taught the danger would be much, If these poor lines should one attorney touch-- (One of those _limbs_ of law who're always here; The _heads_ come down to guide them twice a year.)