Petition for a Habeas Corpus

To the Honorable James Sewall Morsell, one
Of the Judges of the county of Washington:

May it please your honor to hear the petition
Of a poor old mare in a miserable condition,
Who has come this cold night to beg that your honor
Will consider her case and take pity upon her
Her master has turned her out in the street,
And the stones are too hard to lie down on, or eat;
Entertainment for horses she sees every where,
But, alas! there is none, as it seems, for a mare.
She has wandered about, cold, hungry, and weary,
And can't even get in the Penitentiary,
For the watchmen all swear it is more than they dare,
Or Mr Edes either, to put the mayor there.
So she went to a lawyer to know what to do,
And was told she must come and lay her case before you,
That you an injunction or ha cor would grant;
And if that means hay and corn, it is just what I want.
Your petitioner, therefore, prays that your honor will not fail,
To send her to a stable and her master to jail;
And such other relief to grant as your honor may think meet,
Such as chopped straw or oats, for an old mare to eat
With a trough full of these and a rack full of hay,
Your petitioner will ever, as in duty bound, pray.