THE By SOUL I. Jay OFPotter. JUSTICE.
WHAT subtle sense of Justice do I feel? What philosophic calm of mind and heart Comes o 'er my soul, when, undisturbed by thought Of legal strife, I pass, serene, beneath The carved stone portals of the Judgment Hall, Where sits, dispassionate and calm of mind, And weighing, pro and con, the argument, For plaintiff or defendant, judgment gives, — A human judge, dispensing Law Divine. And as I drink the words of wisdom in, And feel how hard he strives to guide aright The panelled jury's minds to wise decide, I feel that here, upon the earth, is found, At last, if not all wisdom, yet all good, And minds intent on Equal Rights to all. Yet, well I know, despite insistent Peace, Which broods o 'er all proceedings legal here, — Which dominates the souls of angry men, As permeates the chilly atmosphere Of morn the circumambient sun's ray, That evil thoughts are given audience, Full frequent, as from man to man is spoke The word, half jest, half earnest, in its weight, ' Til one might think the air'd be saturate With hurtling thoughts and angry, fearsome looks. Despite these floating human clouds perverse, Invisible, yet recognized by all, The mighty power of Justice dominates Th' entire auditorium and throng; And hushed is every voice, and stilled each breath, When, after long and arduous, nay, fierce Attempt to make the wrong appear the right, All eyes are bent and ears are turned to learn The verdict reached, — triumphant Right enthroned. Here am I led to grant Divine instinct To human nature; which, thus, wills that Man May reap his just deserts for acts performed While passing through this modicum of Life.
