Tributes To A Judge

B. Theodore

Exalted by merit, though born insignificant,
O Man of Integrity! Well-known for honesty,
A rare gem from the low, risen to eminence
By dint of hard work and wisdom from God!

Your discernment is surely far more judicious
Than that of the ‘gods’ we implore and adore,
That has made your judgments landmark and historic
That have won the accolades of one and all.

Many a juvenile advocate is inspired by your virtues,
While those who ‘buy Magistracy and sell justice’
Bend their heads in shame and ignominy:
‘A good name you’ve chosen rather than riches great.’

In these days when Justice is fled to brutes
And men have lost their reason to expediency,
‘Integrity is praised but starves’ for all
Except for eulogies by unprejudiced persons.

When judges like you are on the seat of judgment
laws cannot ‘grind the poor’ any more;
Nor ‘rich men rule the law’ any further;
‘Big fish can’t escape from the net of law;
‘Laws wouldn’t be like cobwebs to catch small flies
While wasps and harnets break through’ them.

Neither the higher office you hold with prudence,
Nor the greater stature you possess by probity,
Has made you proud or conceited like others,
But made you humble and cardial to all,
Though inaccessible to untruth, strict to the care,
Never leaning to favouritism, uninfluenced by pelf.

The Lord loves justice and very much wishes it.
‘Roll in like a river on the surface of the earth;
He’s given the judges the sceptre of Justice
To pervert not justice nor deny it to the poor’.

The court is held in the highest esteem
Because of the conspicuity of conscientious judges
Like you who never have put asunder
‘Law and equity which God has joined.’

‘More learned than witty’; Bacon says,
‘More reverend than plausible’; advised than confident’,

‘Integrity is your portion and proper virtue’,
O Excellent Judge! ‘May your tribe increase!’

(­With apologies to Thomas Puller, Shakespeare, Juvenal, Goldsmith, J.J. Roche, Swift, C.C. Cotton, Bacon and the Bible)