Page:Poems Cook.djvu/405

It seems that cunning folks soon tried to lead and hoax
 The poor blind lady into doing wrong;
But they saw they could not frighten, and they found they could not coax,
 So they openly abused her before long.

She stood with dauntless form, like a sign-post in a storm,
 Still telling people which way they should take;
But her enemies increased, and their malice grew so warm,
 That the honest woman's heart began to ache.

The Gods, who lived above, and held her in their love,
 As most important delegate of Truth;
Felt very sad to find the mass of mortal kind
 So soon should prove mean, selfish, and uncouth.

Dame Justice, somewhat proud, would seldom tell aloud
 The burning wrongs that pierced her to the heart;
And so Jove thought at length he'd give her extra strength,
 And send a brave, young man to take her part.

They dress'd him all in black, and stuff'd a sacred sack
 With spotless wool to serve him for a seat;
And firmly did he vow that he would never bow
 To any who might come with bribe or cheat.

He'd keep at the right-hand of Justice, and withstand
 The yellow dust and great patrician's word;
'Twixt Poverty and Might, he promised to indict
 The greatest sinner, spite of all he heard.

And this most honest man Jove sent to aid the plan
 Of universal good and common right;
They bless'd him and anointed the head of their appointed,
 They called him "Law," and sent him forth to fight.

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