Roman Law

    I am a "coach" in Roman law by fate,
        But Nature must have meant me for a poet,
    And while I struggle with a rule or date,
        Poetic thoughts intrude before I know it.

    The changing sunshine on the summer sea
        Drives forth the law of cessio bonorum,
    Peculium castrense speaks to me
        Of Horace and his Dulce et decorum.

    I see the matine bee among the flowers
        Instead of testamentum militare,
    And wander far away from agent's powers
        To picture me again some Maud or Mary.

    In truth there is no sequence in the thought,
        Why should the title De Societate
    Suggest, not trading partners, as it ought,
        But visions of my last night's valse with Katie?

    But worse than this, when I have done my task,
        Stern law again asserts her domination,
    'Tis cruel 'mid the new-mown hay to bask,
        And find one's mind is running on novation;

    Or in the dusk, when glow-worms light the moss,
        To hear the distant voice of Philomela
    Expound the three varieties of dos
        And wax right eloquent about tutela.

    I had a little respite yesterday,
        Dining with one who well knew how to dine us,
    But when I slept, the charm soon fled away,
        I dreamed I was a prætor peregrinus.

    Dismasted in the deep of law I lie,
        A poor reward it is to stand confessed as
    The Virgil of the interdict de vi,
        The Petrarch of the patria potestas.