The wretch with thrilling horror shook, Loose ev'ry joint, and pale his look, Not having seen her in the courts, Or found her mentioned in reports, He ask'd, with falt'ring tongue, her name, Her errand there, and whence she came? Sternly the white-rob'd shade reply'd, (A crimson glow her visage dy'd) Canst thou be doubtful who I am? Is JUSTICE grown so strange a name? Were not your courts for JUSTICE rais'd? 'Twas there of old my altars blaz'd. My guardian thee did I elect, My sacred temple to protect; That thou, and all thy venal tribe, Should spurn the goddess for a bribe! Aloud the ruin'd client cries, JUSTICE has neither ears nor eyes! In foul alliance with the bar, 'Gainst me the judge denounces war, And rarely issues his decree, But with intent to baffle me. She paus'd. Her breast with fury burn'd; The trembling LAWYER thus return'd: I own the charge is justly laid, And weak th' excuse that can be made; Yet search the spacious globe, and see If all mankind are not like me. The GOWN-MAN, skill'd in ROMISH lies, By FAITH'S false glass deludes our eyes; O'er conscience rides without controul, And robs the man, to save his soul. The DOCTOR, with important face, By sly design mistakes the case; Prescribes, and spins out the disease, To trick the patient of his fees.-- The SOLDIER, rough with many a scar, And red with slaughter, leads the war; If he a nation's trust betray, The foe has offer'd double pay. [Illustration: _The maid she modestly conceals Her beauties, while she hides, reveals;_ _Page 41._ _London Published June 24th 1799 by T. Heptinstall Holborn._] When vice o'er all mankind prevails, And weighty int'rest turns the scales, Must I be better than the rest, And harbour JUSTICE in my breast? On one side only take the fee, Content with poverty and thee? Thou blind to sense, and vile of mind, Th' exasperated shade rejoin'd, If virtue from the world is flown, Will others faults excuse thy own? For sickly souls the priest was made; PHYSICIANS for the body's aid; The SOLDIER guarded liberty; Man, woman, and the LAWYER me: If all are faithless to their trust, They leave not thee the less unjust. Henceforth your pleadings I disclaim, And bar the sanction of my name; Within your courts it shall be read, That JUSTICE from the law is fled. She spoke; and hid in shades her face, 'Till HARDWICK sooth'd her into grace. FABLE IX. THE FARMER, THE SPANIEL, AND THE CAT. Why knits my dear her angry brow? What rude offence alarms you now? I said, that DELIA'S fair; 'tis true, But did I say she equall'd you? Can't I another's face commend, Or to her virtues be a friend, But instantly your forehead lours, As if her merit lessen'd your's? From female envy never free, All must be blind, because you see.