In vain the vulgar shall for vengeance call, Or move the justices at Hickes's-hall; In vain grand juries shall be urg'd by law In his indictment not to leave a flaw. Ev'n at the bar should NYKY stand arraign'd, No verdict 'gainst him should be there obtain'd; Nay, by the laws and customs of the land, Tho' trembling NYKY should convicted stand, The candid jury shall be mov'd t'acquit A gentleman, an author, and a wit: For liberal minds with candour ever see The milder failings of humanity! Smooth-spoken MANSFIELD,[10] with his vacant face, In softening accents first shall ope his case; Which to defend, the want of Merlin's cunning Shall be supplied by that of Grimbald DUNNING.[11] E'en at th' Old-Bailey they for NYK shall plead; Where would they not, if they were largely fee'd? Were NYKY summon'd to the bar below, Well-fee'd these faithful barristers would go; NOTES. [10] Not the Judge of that name; but the barrister, who, is by no means a judge---- of any thing. [11] See King Arthur, lately revived at Drury-lane Theatre, and attend the pleadings in our courts of law and equity at Westminster, Guildhall, and Lincoln's-inn. Their tale to Minos would they glibly tell; Minos the MANSFIELD, or Chief Judge, of Hell.[12] Nor need my NYKY fear a London jury Will e'er be influenced with a female fury. Can they who let a prov'd assassin 'scape Hang up poor NYKY for a friendly rape? If in the dark to stab, be thought no crime, What may'nt be hop'd from jurymen in time? Soon Southern modes, no doubt, they'll reconcile With the plain manners of our Northern isle; And e'en new-married citizens be brought To reckon S----y a venial fault: When if GEORGE BELLAS,[13] cruel and unkind, Blast not their loves, with rude tempestuous wind, In common-council Corydon may burn, And Corydons for Corydon in turn, Till every alderman about the chair Find his Alexis in a new lord-mayor. IMITATIONS. Ex illo Corydon, Corydon est tempore nobis. NOTES. [12] Minos is reported by the poets to have been raised to this high office for his impartiality in the administration of Justice here on earth: what a pity that office is not soon to become vacant; as it might be most luckily filled by as worthy a successor. [13] A boisterous mock-patriot, supposed to be descended from Eolus and Amphitrite, being famous for his mackarel expeditions, his musical knowledge of the fundamental base and public performances on the bassoon.