VII. "This is my cause in motive and effect : VIII. "And shortly, of this court the members Both assessoris, clerk, and advocate, So late at even; I you accuse forthy."" IX. When that the judge on this wise was accused, XI. Of Civil many volumes they revolve, Some ae doctrine, and some another hold; But held the gloss and text of the decrees, XII. Shortly, to make an end of this debate, And end his plea : then was he nothing fain; XIII. The Sheep again before the Wolf derenyeit,3 But4 advocate, abaisedly couth 5 stand. He bad the parties choose, with one assent, judgment plained; Lawrence the actis and the process wrait, And soon the plea unto the end they speed. This cursed court corrupted all for meid, Agains2 good faith, law, and eke conscience; For this false Dog pronounced the sentence. XV. And it to put in execution, And has with him ane cursèd assize about, And dytis1 all the poor men uponland.2 Fra3 the coroner have laid on him his wand;4 Though he were true as ever was Sanct Johne, Slain shall he be, or with the judge compone. 5 XIX. This Raven I liken to ane false coroner, The Wolf charged the Sheep, without delay, Whilk has ane porteous of the indictment, Under the pain of interdiction, The sum of silver, or the bread to pay. Of this sentence, alas! what shall I say? Whilk damned has the silly innocent, And justified the wrongous judgment. The rural Mouse into the winter tide Had hunger, cauld, and tholit❝ great distress; The tother Mouse that in the burgh can bide, Was gild-brother, and made ane free burgess. Toll-free also, but custom,7 mair or less, And freedom had to gae where ere she list As who would change good gold in lead Among the cheese and meal, in ark and kist. My mother said, sister, when we were born, Their heartly cheer, Lord God! gif ye had That ye and I lay both within ane wame;1 seen, Was kithit when that thir 3 two sisters met, And great kindness was showin them between ; For whiles they leuch,4 and whiles for joy they gret ;15 Whiles kissit sweet, and whiles in armis plet.6 I keep the right auld custom of my dame, IX. "My fair sister," quoth she, "have me excused, This rude diet and I cannot accord; And thus they fure, till sobert was their With tender meat my stomach aye is used; VI. As I heard say, it was a simple wane VII. IO When they were lodgit thus, thir silly mice, The youngest sister until her buttrie yeid, 10 Brought forth nuttis, and peas, instead of spice Gif this was good fare, I do it on them Among friends right tender, and wonder |