THE DEVIL AND THE LAWYER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3159, 12 August 1881, Page 3

THE DEVIL AND THE LAWYER.

(American Paper.) The Devil came up to the earth one clay And into the Court-house he wended his way Just as an attorney, with very grave face, Was j>roceeding to argue the " points in the case." Now, a lawyer his Majesty never had seen — For to his dominion none ever had been ; And he felt very anxious the reason to know. Why none had been sent to the regions below 'Twas the fault of his agents, his Majesty thought, That none of these lawyers had ever been caught; And for his own pleasure he felt a desire To come to the earth and the reason inquire. Well, the lawyer, who rose with a face most grave, Made out his opponent a consummate knave ; And the Devil was really greatly amused To hear the Attorney so soundly abused, But soon as the speaker had come to a close The counsel opposing him fiercely arose, And heaped such abiise on the head of the first, That made him a villian of all men the worst. lliUB they quarrelled, contended, and argued so long, 'Twas hard for him to decide which was wrong And concluding he'd heard quite enough of the " fuss," Old Nick turned away and soliloquized thus: " If all they said of each other be true, The Devil has surely been robbed of his due ; But I am satisfied now its all very well — For these lawyers would ruin tile morals of ! " They have puzzled the Court with their villianoua cavil,

And I'm free to confess they have puzzled the Dovil ? My agents are right to let lawyers alone — If I had them, they'd swindle mo out of my throne!"