University of Virginia Library

A worthie Lawyer 18.

In Vertue, Conscience, Grace, and Iudgements grouth,
Hee is the Indagator of the Trueth:
Hee painfully Pleas, doth practise, and preasse,
To bring them into Conclusions of Peace.
The Time hee divides in vses to knaw,
From Ignorance, the knowledge of the Law.
Obscurities, h'vnlockes and open layes,
And truely th'Orator pleading hee playes.
With emptie hands, a pittying Sprite, and pure,
In Conscience Court, hee patrones aye the Poore.
In Resolutions, and Responses plaine,
And quicke in giving, But all greede of Gaine.
A Corryphævs in his Clients Cases,
And still the Best, and not the Bad, imbraces.
Hee doth not loue to holde a Client long,
Nor will defende what well he viewes is wrong.
The Case, and not the Client, hee respects,
And not what's wrong, but Verities protects,
His labours are to make his Calling bee,
(Even as it should) scene in Sinceritie.
Hee doth despyse, both Falsehood, and Delayes,
And others Knaveries, in their Pleas displayes.
H'abhors Advantage, by ore-sight, or sleuth,
Of Others, if the Matter bee of Trueth.
Hee wearies not his Poore-men, with depending,
Nor to the Iudges, or the Wryters sending.
But all that these bad Patrons puts Them to,
Hee by his Servants or himselfe, doth doe.
And more for Conscience, Credite, and his Name,
Than for their Money, hee doth doe for Them.
Still of his Calling hee doth Conscience make,
And bot what They may gladly giue, will take.
Hee doth not sucke their Substance by slim Shifts,
As Thiefe-lyke some doe vse, and yet Vnthrifts.
Hee by his faythfull Labours (not by Stealth)
And gotten, guided well, doth grow to Wealth.
Yet all the Goods with Honestie hee gains,
Hee prudentlie in ployes, and nought prophanes;
So worthily, most worthie, hee doth grace,
Where hee doth passe, and is imploy'd the Place.
Of all men hee's respected for good parts,
And gets for gracious Guiding, Good-mens Hearts,
For hee is faithfull, efauld, vpright ever;
Dissimulate, nor false, nor feigned never.