In the ruefull[73] register of mischiefe and mishap, _Baldwine_ we beseech thee with our names to begin, Whom vnfriendly fortune did trayn vnto a trap, When wee[74] thought our state most stable to haue bin: So lightely leese they all, which all do weene to win: Learne by vs ye laweyers and judges of this land,[75] Vpright and vncorrupt[76] in dome alway to stand. 2. And print yee this president[77] to remaine for euer, Enrolle and record it in tables made of brasse, Engraue it in marble that may bee razed neuer, Where the judges[78] of the lawe may see, as in a glasse, What guerdon is for guile,[79] and what our wages was, Who for our prince’s pleasure,[80] corrupt[81] with meede and awe, Wittingly and wretchedly[82] did wrest the sence of lawe. 3. A chaunge more newe or straunge when was there euer seene, Then judges from the bench to come downe to the barre, And counsaylours that were most nigh to king and queene Exiled their countrye, from court and counsaile farre: But such is fortune’s play, which can both make and marre, Exalting to most highe that was before moste lowe, And turning tayle agayne, the lofty downe to throwe.[83] 4. And such as late afore, could[84] stoutly speake and pleade Both in court and countrye, carelesse of the triall, Stand muet as[85] mummers[86] without aduise or reade, All to seeke of shifting, by trauerse or denyall,[87] Which haue seene the day, when,[88] for a golden ryall,[89] By finesse and conning, could haue made blacke[90] seeme white, And most extorted wrong to haue appeared right.[91] 5. Whilst thus on bench aboue wee had the highest place, Our reasons were to strong, for any to confute: But when at barre beneath, wee came to pleade our case, Our wits were in the wane, our pleading very brute: Hard it is for prisoners with judges to dispute: When all men against one, and none for one shall speake, Who weenes himselfe most wise, shall haply bee to weake.[92] 6. To you therefore that sit, these fewe wordes will I say, That no man sits so sure, but hee may haply stand:[93] Wherefore whilst you haue place, and beare the swing, and sway By fauour, without rigour let poynts of lawe bee skan’d: Pitty the poore prisoner that holdeth vp his hand, Ne lade him not with law, who least of law hath knowne, Remember ere yee dye, the case may bee your owne.[94] 7.