ANOTHER TO THOMAS LORD ELLESMERE by BEN JONSON

The judge his favour timely then extends,
When a good cause is destitute of friends,
Without the pomp of council; or more aid,
Than to make falsehood blush, and fraud afraid:
When those good few, that her defenders be,
Are there for charity, and not for fee.
Such shall you hear today, and find great foes
Both armed with wealth, and slander to oppose,
Who thus long safe, would gain upon the times
A right by the prosperity of their crimes;
Who, though their guilt, and perjury they know,
Think, yea and boast, that they have done it so
As though the court pursues them on the scent,
They will come off, and 'scape the punishment.
When this appears, just lord, to your sharp sight,
He does you wrong, that craves you to do right.

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