From realms of darkness let us turn to light-- But where, if not to thee, ingenious Knight?[41] An able draftsman, and a speaker bold, By prudence guided, ne’er by fear controlled, To clients faithful, not to foes unjust, In better hands his suit could no one trust. By honour urg’d, thou wilt not facts conceal, But with strong argument their force repeal. Thus truth is ever to thy speech attached, Nor hopeless cause by blund’ring falsehood patch’d. With whom can doubt on safer grounds advise! Tho’ young in years, so prematurely wise. In thee deep study, with experience crown’d, Refines a judgment naturally sound; Gives force to sense with which the mind is fraught, And stamps decision on each passing thought. Thy private life it boots not here to scan, But as the counsel, so excels the man; Thy courteous mein, and disposition bland, Can tame down envy, and it’s rage withstand. Thee love of virtue leads; nor rough the way To those, who bend her dictates to obey. Oh! may’st thou well the tide of glory stem, And earn thy meed, the legal diadem! Lo! Pepys with recent dignity elate Appears, a not unpleasing advocate! Fast from his lips the dulcet accents fall, But not in tediousness, the ear to pall; Seldom or never from that tone they part, And by their sweetness wind into the heart. Rise, Basil Montagu[42], and shew thy face, Great legislator of the bankrupt race! In thee I find a character so strange, Description hardly can its traits arrange. That tongue’s licentiousness, and cheek of brass Betray the stock, of which thy lineage was. Not void of intellect, but blind with pride, In vain discretion strives thy course to guide. Loud mirth precedes, each struggle for a hit, And empty sneers supply the place of wit. If careless clerks pay not retaining fees, Be free as air, and plead for whom you please; Make use of knowledge, you were paid to learn For other’s good, and all to mischief turn. Now state a case, now on thyself reply, And shine the monarch of absurdity! Nor less thy brains in making books excell-- Let who will read them, so the volumes sell. Hodge bought his razors for a bargain, but Was quite surprised to find they would not cut. We buy thy books, yet not like Hodge admire; To give the cut, we throw them in the fire. To read would go beyond thine own intent, And fix on us a double punishment. For loss of money grief will soon abate,-- But what for loss of time can compensate? Away; with tomes no more the world appal, But rule supreme thy Court of Basinghall.[43] Maintain thy temple in its purest state,-- A den of thieves to rapine consecrate. Let perjured rogues the plunder first prepare, And just partition be thine only care! Away with conscience, ’tis an idle tale,