-Ambrose Bierce

LAW, n.Once Law was sitting on the bench,And Mercy knelt a-weeping."Clear out!" he cried, "disordered wench!Nor come before me creeping.Upon your knees if you appear,'Tis plain your have no standing here."Then Justice came. His Honor cried:"_Your_ status? -- devil seize you!""_Amica curiae,_" she replied --"Friend of the court, so please you.""Begone!" he shouted -- "there's the door --I never saw your face before!"G.J.