Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 24.pdf/430

The County Court With steady nerve and winning smile Each lawyer, well at ease, Presents his case with courtesy And tries the Court to please. For country people round about This is a famous day, The farmers and their friends turn out To pass the time away In trade and gossip in the square, And see their county town, And listen to the arguments Of lawyers of renown. The chosen jurors rise and swear They'll most impartially Upon their oaths hear every cause And keep from bias free, Betraying that their pleasure is To serve and draw their pay, Regardless of all prejudice, And have their holiday. And yet the stream of Justice there Is seldom found unclean, Its source is round the firesides Where virtue long has been, And where amid the flowered fields, Since love of God began, Old natures planted purest thoughts Within the heart of man. As one by one the cases come And suitors wage their wars, With many grave entanglements And storms of jangling jars, The audience delighted hears The raucous "I object," Enjoying all the lawyers do That zeal and grit reflect. And many broad triumphant smiles And many frowns besides Are seen among the listeners When points the Judge decides.