A Sergeant of the Law, cautious and precise,
An advocate much sought for his advice,
Was there as well, a man of excellence,
Always discreet, commanding deference
(Or so it seemed, his words appeared so wise).
He often sat in judgement at assize
Fully empowered by letters from the king
Because of his renown and great learning.
He earned many a set of robes and fee.
There was no one who bought more land than he.
He could convert the most suspect possession
Into a freehold no lawyer could question.
He seemed a very busy man because
He liked to look much busier than he was.
He could quote each case and the judgements explain
Which have made common law, since William came.
Therefore he could draw up a deed, so good
That no man could fault it, try as he would.
And he could recite each statute by rote.
He rode simply in a blue lined scarlet coat
And silken belt striped round with metal inlay.
And about what he wore, there's no more to say.
A Sergeant of the Lawe, war and wys,
That often hadde been at the Parvys,
Ther was also, ful riche of excellence.
Discreet he was, and of greet reverence-
(He semed swich, hise wordes weren so wise).
Justice he was ful often in assise,
By patente, and by pleyn commissioun.
For his science, and for his heigh renoun.
Of fees and robes hadde he many oon.
So greet a purchasour was nowher noon:
Al was fee symple to hym in effect,
His purchasyng myghte nat been infect.
Nowher so bisy a man as he ther nas,
And yet he semed bisier than he was.
In termes hadde he caas and doomes alle
That from the tyme of Kyng William were falle.
Therto he koude endite and make a thyng,
Ther koude no wight pynche at his writyng;
And every statut koude he pleyn by rote.
He rood but hoomly in a medlee cote
Girt with a ceint of silk, with barres smale;
Of his array telle I no lenger tale.