But turn my muse; it boots not more to trace These petty judges of Southampton Place. Such office should some wiser head employ Than driveling dotard or unlearned boy-- The first a friend to Eldon’s childhood dear,-- The last a son of ministerial peer. Alike unskilled they wander in the dark, And stoop at last to counsel with their clerk. Some dirty scribbler in a garret bred, Thence taught by charity to write and read. A wretched dolt, who gains his place by chance, And takes promotion as his years advance; Who now forsooth must act with scorn to those, That pay him meanly, or his will oppose. Thus Pugh and Hone[16], and many more I know-- But these the worst,--I spare each meaner foe. Still are there some this station doom’d to fill, Who shame their masters by superior skill, In Kensit’s[17] talent all a refuge find From the dark nothingness of Stratford’s mind; And when at Cross the sense indignant groans, It seeks for solace in thy kindness, Jones. Fortune! from thee one favour let me crave! Debase each tyrant, and exalt each slave! Let those, who now ride topmost on thy wheel, The sad reverse of bitter thraldom feel; Look up to those on whom they now look down, And learn the terror of a despot’s frown. Erroneous judgment breeds a like report, And both will bear revision by the court; Then must the cause experience more delay, Last in the list that lengthens every day. What if his Honor, after two long years, Decide the question that he never hears! Before the Vice or Rolls, it matters not How heard or judged; alike the suitors lot. From either sentence you may take appeals, If faulty deemed, to him who holds the seals; Then will some paltry point, of little worth To him who doubts, or him who gave it birth, Enchain the suit for ages, like a spell, From which Impatience will in vain rebel; Alas! my lord, yon starving paupers see! How can they live upon a bare term fee? Let still the client all his pangs endure, But for thy brother tribe provide a cure. Be Lord High Chancellor, if so you must, But oh! resign some portion of thy trust-- Its various duties more attention claim Than one weak head can muster for the same.