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The Shamrock

or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte]

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A CHANCERY SUIT.
  
  
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70

A CHANCERY SUIT.

(In Imitation of the Foregoing. )

Three Inches of a Party Wall,
'Twixt Bourke, and Lisle, had kindled Hate;
Angry and long the Strife—The Hall
At last must settle the Debate.

71

Pleadings on Pleadings rise, a Mountain!
(In Course of Law the usual Way 'tis)
And Words—beyond the Power of counting—
Yet not one Word, or Tittle, gratis.
Month follows Month; Term, Term; and each,
(O Law, ingenious in Delay,
Thy Mysteries deep, what Thought can reach?)
Each Party, still, has Costs to pay.
Complainant Bourke; Defendant Lisle;
Such are they, while the Suit depends:—
“Aye;” (cries old Bramble, with a Smile)
“But both Complainants, when it ends.”
Thus, of a Turtle, once, rare Dish!
A Case adjudg'd, Reporters tell—
Court, Agents, Lawyers, ate the Fish:
The Parties—supp'd upon the Shell.
 

This Imitation is founded upon a well-known, and recent Fact: The Litigation was tedious, and expensive; and, to heighten the Ridicule, the Parties were—Brothers-in-law.

The Reader will perceive, that the last Stanza of the above Trifle is not imitated from the Latin: The Writer is indebted for the Hint to a well-known, and admired French Apologue: He has taken the Liberty, however, to change the Frenchman's Oyster into a Turtle; that the Lawyers, the Agents, and the Officers, (as well as the Judge) might have each something to pick; which, to do them Justice, however bare the Bone, they seldom fail to contrive.