The miracles wrought by St. Leonard in releasing prisoners continued after his death, but at this time the saint has ceased from interposing in their behalf even on his festival; which, being the first day of Michaelmas term, and therefore the day whereon writs issued since the Trinity term are made returnable, would be a convenient season for the saint’s interposition.
This day the long vacation o’er,
And lawyers go to work once more;
With their materials all provided,
That they may have the cause decided.
The plaintiff he brings in his bill,
He’ll have his cause, cost what it will;
Till afterwards comes the defendant,
And is resolved to make an end on’t.
And having got all things in fitness,
Supplied with money and with witness;
And makes a noble bold defence,
Backed with material evidence.
The proverb is, one cause is good
Until the other’s understood.
They thunder out to little purpose,
With certiorari, habeas corpus,
Their replicandos, writs of error,
To fill the people’s hearts with terror;
And if the lawyer do approve it,
To chancery they must remove it:
And then the two that were so warm,
Must leave it to another term;
Till they go home and work for more,
To spend as they have done before.
Poor Robin.
NATURALISTS’ CALENDAR.
Mean Temperature 43·40.
[416] Alban Butler.
[417] Golden Legend.