So, Hall McAllister, you'll not be warned — My protest slighted, admonition scorned! To save your scoundrel client from a cell As loth to swallow him as he to swell
Its sum of meals insurgent ( it decries All wars intestinal with meats that rise ) You turn your scurril tongue against the press And damn the agency you ought to bless.
Had not the press with all its hundred eyes Discerned the wolf beneath the sheep's disguise And raised the cry upon him, he to-day Would lack your company, and you would lack his pay.
Talk not of “hire” and consciences for sale — You whose profession‘ tis to threaten, rail, Calumniate and libel at the will Of any villain who can pay the bill —
You whose most honest dollars all were got By saying for a fee “the thing that's not!” To you‘ tis one, to challenge or defend; Clients are means, their money is an end.
In my profession sometimes, as in yours Always, a payment large enough secures A mercenary service to defend The guilty or the innocent to rend.
But mark the difference, nor think it slight: We do not hold it proper, just and right; Of selfish lies a little still we shame And give our villainies another name.
Hypocrisy's an ugly vice, no doubt, But blushing sinners can n't get on without. Happy the lawyer!— at his favored hands Nor truth nor decency the world demands.
Secure in his immunity from shame, His cheek ne'er kindles with the tell-tale flame. His brains for sale, morality for hire, In every land and century a licensed liar!
No doubt, McAllister, you can explain How honorable‘ tis to lie for gain, Provided only that the jury's made To understand that lying is your trade.
A hundred thousand volumes, broad and flat, ( The Bible not included ) proving that, Have been put forth, though still the doubt remains If God has read them with befitting pains.
No Morrow could get justice, you'll declare, If none who knew him foul affirmed him fair. Ingenious man! how easy‘ tis to raise An argument to justify the course that pays!
I grant you, if you like, that men may need The services performed for crime by greed,— Grant that the perfect welfare of the State Requires the aid of those who in debate
As mercenaries lost in early youth The fine distinction between lie and truth — Who cheat in argument and set a snare To take the feet of Justice unaware —
Who serve with livelier zeal when rogues assist With perjury, embracery ( the list Is long to quote ) than when an honest soul, Scorning to plot, conspire, intrigue, cajole,
Reminds them ( their astonishment how great! ) He'd rather suffer wrong than perpetrate. I grant, in short,‘ tis better all around That ambidextrous consciences abound
In courts of law to do the dirty work That self-respecting scavengers would shirk. What then? Who serves however clean a plan By doing dirty work, he is a dirty man!
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