The cause is open’d. Bell begins to plead, And argues thus that Dobbin must succeed,[46] “My Lord, your Lordship sees by common sense “What is the object of my friend’s defence. “A losing contract don’t exactly please, “And that’s the reason, as your lordship sees. “This having thus premised”--“nay, stop,” cries Horne; “The statement really is not to be borne; “A client breathes not, who can mine excell, “At least as upright as my brother Bell.” Then Bell resumes his speech with stutt’ring phrase, “Why interrupt me when I state the case. “Your Lordship knows that when men feel despair, “They strive by noise to dissipate their care; “Just so my friend that feeling would repress “By dint of rage and stormy scornfulness; “And well I know this conduct is but meant “To break the order of one’s argument. “So this I say, the judgment seat before, “That right is right;--I do not plead for more. “Defendant will not to his purchase stand, “Whereby my client loses cash and land. “Can this be right? No. Then, ’tis clear to me “Relief with costs your Lordship will decree!” Next Horne uprises with resentment dire, And sputters nonsense in a speech of fire. “My Lord,” he cries, “behold this massive bill; “The office copy would a volume fill! “’Tis only done my client to oppress, “Investing falsehood with a grander dress,-- “The whole a tissue of malignant lies; “Defendant’s answer every fact denies. “My client has perhaps the land enjoyed, “But then his money has been unemployed; “For, when the abstract was from Preston got, “It shew’d too glaringly the fatal blot. “Possessive title, as your Lordship knows, “Full sixty years enjoyment must disclose. “Now it so happen’d that on Lady Day, “When my poor client had the cash to pay; “Hours four and twenty (so the fact appears) “Must pass, to make a term of sixty years. “The point, tho’ doubted once, is set at rest;-- “My friend may smile, but mine will be the jest. “I claim your Lordship’s judgment on my side “With all the foresight of triumphant pride. “Nor care I who may blame! my client stands “For Justice; and the law, not praise, demands:-- “If harsh the deed, his conscience may atone, “But to the priest be that confession known.”