When I Am Articled

When I am articled
The Law decrees
I shall devote my time
To stating fees
And learning about Actions
Suits and Courts.
Then Deeds and Briefs and Grants
Must fill my thoughts.
While if a naughty
Little verse should find
Its way into a corner
Of my mind
I must not tell the chap
For whom I work.
He pays the penalty
If I should shirk
And take to writing books
And verse instead
Of 'hereinafter', 'duly',
'Viz', 'the said'.