Abstinentia
Who so are plac'd, in sacred Justice roome,
And have in charge, her statutes to observe:
Let them with care, behoulde this garnish'd toome,
That suche a one, at lengthe they maie deserve:
Of marble harde, suppose the same to bee,
An Ewer eeke, uppon one corner standes,
At th'other ende, a bason wee maie see:
With Towell faire, to wipe theire washed handes:
Th'effecte whereof, let Judges printe in minde,
That they maie leave a lasting name behinde.
The marble showes: they must bee firme, and sure,
And not be pierc'd, nor mooved from the truthe:
The reste declare: they must bee cleane, and pure;
And not inclin'd to rigor, or to ruthe.
But, when a cause before them shalbee harde,
With conscience cleare, let them the same decide:
No Ritche, or Poore, or frend, or foe, regarde.
For feare, they doe throughe theire affections slide:
But let them washe, theire handes from everie
crime,
That GOD maye blesse, and here prolonge theire
time.