AS any one read the great lunacy case?

The case that's Lock'd, and Labell'd, and

Laced

With a Tissue of lies, and a Docket of 'waste,'

And a golden Key, the reverse of chased,

(Tho' hunted thro' the Hilary)—

Has any one read how the Law can hound,

And badger, and bully a man,'till it's bound

A mortgage on ev'ry acre of ground

And robb'd him of sixty thousand pound—

Without being put in the pillory?

Has any one read—does any one know—

If he marries a wife who's not quite comme il,

And a handsome estate should inherit,—

What a suit of chancery can effect,

To strip him, even of self-respect,

Hold him up to scorn contempt; and neglect,

And ruin him, body and spirit?

Has any one read—mark'd—weigh'd—the worth

Of a common name and a kindred birth,

A Brother's—Uncle's—love upon earth,

To the love that is filthy lucre's?

How day after day, without being hurt,

A man can drag his own flesh thro' the dirt

For a thousand pounds at his Broker's?

Yes, ev'ry one's read—we all of us know—

What man's 'first friend* could become his worst foe,

Bring him up in the way he ought not to go,—

Then lie, to make him a beggar;—

Turn him loose upon Town without guardian or friend,—

Lay traps in his paths lest they happen'd to mend,—

Set spies to note ev'ry shilling he'd spend—

Ev'iy pitiful pound he might borrow or lend,—

And dip his fingers in slime without end—

We can guess who cuts such a figure!