And after long confideration,

Have found out one to fit th' occafion,

Moft apt for what I have to do,

As counsellor, and justice too.

And truly fo, no doubt, he was,

A lawyer fit for such a case.

An old dull fot, who told the clock, For many years at Bridewell-dock,

At Westminster, and Hicks's-hall,

And hiccius doctius play'd in all ;

575

580

Where, in all governments and times,

He 'ad been both friend and foe to crimes,

And us'd two equal ways of gaining,
By hind'ring justice, or maintaining,
To many a whore gave privilege,
And whipp'd, for want of quarterage ;
Cart-loads of bawds to prison fent,
For b'ing behind a fortnight's rent ;
And

many a trusty pimp and crony To Puddle-dock, for want of money: Engag'd the constables to seize

All those that wou'd not break the peace;
Nor give him back his own foul words,
Tho' fometimes commoners, or lords,

And kept 'em prisoners of course,

For being fober at ill hours;

That in the morning he might free
Or bind 'em over for his fee.

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590

595

Made monsters fine, and puppet-plays,
For leave to practise in their ways;

600

Farm'd out all cheats, and went a share
With th' headborough and scavenger;
And made the dirt i' th' streets compound,
For taking up the public ground;
The kennel, and the king's high way
For being unmolested, pay ;

Let out the stocks and whipping-post,
And cage, to those that gave him most;
Impos'd a tax on bakers' ears,

And for false weights on chandelers;

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610

Made victuallers and vintners fine,

For arbitrary ale and wine :

But was a kind and conftant friend

To all that regularly offend :

As residentiary bawds,

And brokers that receive ftol'n goods;
That cheat in lawful mysteries,
And pay church-duties, and his fees;

615

But was implacable and auker'd,

To all that interlop'd and hawker'd.
To this brave man the knight repairs
For counsel in his law affairs,

And found him mounted in his pew,

With books and money plac'd for shew,
Like nest-eggs to make clients lay,
And for his falfe opinion pay:

To whom the knight, with comely grace,
Put off his hat to put his cafe ;
Which he as proudly entertain'd,
As th' other courteously strain'd;
And, to affure him 'twas not that
He look'd for, bid him put on 's hat.
Quoth he, there is one Sidrophel
Whom I have cudgell'd-Very well—
And now he brags to have beaten me—
Better and better still, quoth he-

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625

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635