Might and Right

  Rod. The lawful Right? The ‘lawful!’ What is that?
But I will tell thee. Might is Right; and when
'Tis written in red letters, ‘This is law!’
Then might is law, and law is wise and right.
Who doubts? We 'll hang him by the statute,—strait!
S'death, there's no use in strength of limbs or brain,
If they help not who owns them. When you catch
A trout, who has the right, and who the law?
Why, you ,—who are the strong. If he could rise,
And shake his tail against your lawful right,
He 'd say—“All this is 'gainst our marine laws!
“You rascals on dry land invade our realms,
“By wrong, and by no law. You send abroad
“No proclamations; prove no injuries;
“Quote no good reasons; no specific code;
“But strait, when you desire some trout to eat,
“You pounce upon us with your hell-harb'd hooks,
“And treat us worse than were we Africans.
“We 'll not endure 't!”
  Count . Ha, ha, ha!
  Rod. Right, Count! Right!
You give th' old answer—(‘Might is Right’)—laugh loud
At their remonstrance, and have, sans remorse,
The speaker grill'd for supper.
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