The company refused to pay,
Because of this small hoard
Of crude petroleum, which, said they,
He in his house had "stored."
So Hand and Parsons came to court,
And wrangled pro and con;
The cause made much judicial sport
When it was sat upon.
Said one of the commissioners,
"Suppose he drank the same,
Or introduced it in his drawers,—
How would he be to blame?
It was but medicine he took,
Outside instead of in,
And 'storing,' this in any book
Hath ne'er decided been."
So Reynolds quoth, and Earl concurred,
And Johnson, Lott, and Dwight
Looked solemn as Minerva's bird;
But Reynolds winked outright.
The company, very low in mind,
Crestfallen sneaked away,
And little comfort could they find
In the dissent of Gray.
Good men rejoice whene'er they read
This rare decision, which
Is,—patriots for their land may bleed,
But are not bound to itch.
