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5.

And so matters went on, until brought to a stop
By a quite unforeseen and unpleasant event:
When one day on the Grocer's iniquitous shop
The Police made an inquisitorial descent;
Which establish'd the fact that each weight was a light one,
That the Balance had in it a tendency strong
To incline to the side that was never the right one,
And the Grocer had known of the trick all along.
119

The Grocer was fined. The Police took possession
Of the Balance and Weights. These the Law handed over
To the anvil and hammer, that made an impression
Upon them from which they will never recover.
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