A rugby match of youthful lads

had commandeered the college green

and showing boundless energy

brought cheers from those who watched the scene.

Through determined minds the game did flow,

advantage shifting with every throw.

From a window in his office high, the barrister

emitted a mighty sigh and turned away

his distracted eye, back bent with

concentration now intent upon a document,

that lay accusing

and once again resumed his musing.

An office clerk named Edward Brown,

cast with fatally striking down

a fellow member of the workplace, who some,

too eager to accuse, declined to say so to his face.

Paradoxically, to those aware, both victim and accused

did share, beyond their mutual occupation,

a long, communal love affair.

The facts, as stated, were false he knew

and the couple he had long admired;

a loyal pair through love inspired,

needed proof that his belief was true.

Sir Robert Spence, with anger mounting,

poured through lies of false accounting,

seeking that grain of truth he knew

would reveal the answer's subtle clue.

The tale they told was vile and ugly,

of crimes committed; of moral shame

attaching like a hungry leech,

with blind ambition for sole, self gain,

and the slandering of a family name.

'Not on my watch', he spake aloud,

and left his office, head held proud.

The deed was one of fraud and murder

and those accusing said they'd heard her

cry out, ere death's blow took her down,

quite clearly, the name of Edward Brown.

And when at his home he was arrested,

his innocence in vain protested

in spite of how he loved the maid,

his fate was sealed, in jail he stayed

The victim's name was Mary Bender,

who served the office that did render

financial aid to students lacking

sufficient funds and needed backing.

It was here, uncovered quite by chance,

the slyly skewed accounting dance of figures

being misconstrued when

inspections were not carefully viewed.

Alarmed, in Edward she did confide

the misdeed someone tried to hide

and with trepidation, at last agreed

to expose to her masters the felonious deed.

With shock and dismay they heard her speak,

imploring that she not let leak

one word about the startling scandal,

lest indiscretion alert the vandal.

But alas, poor Mary did not know

that when her findings she did show,

there existed with the member board

a possibility she'd ignored.

Confident in her diligent action,

she bowed and left, with one attraction;

a hostile stare, from danger smarting,

traced the naïve maid's departing.

On rumpled sheets, behind cold bars,

one keyhole window to view the stars,

lay Edward Brown, the man accused

whose innocence did now depend

on Sir Robert Spence, and how he'd defend

against facts misused.

"Dear God,' he prayed, through tear filled eyes,

'don't let them end my life with lies'.

Through diligence Sir Robert did divulge,

with careful sifting of the clues a discrepancy,

and unearthed the seed

revealing the perpetrator of the deed

and author of the cunning ruse.

With proof beyond doubt's flickering shade,

Sir Robert knew- his case was made,

and brought before the college board

his damning theory to be heard.

The board convened, its sole intent

to have the murderer repent

the vicious crime that he did tender

upon the victim, Mary Bender.

Sir Robert rose to state his case,

his eyes affixed upon one face

among the members of the board,

the implication not ignored

and while Sir Robert let his tale unfold,

Edward Brown sat mute, in anguish,

his aching heart grown stony cold

as details of the fraud were told.

The accused, regretting now his greed,

sat trembling in his pulpit

as the court was made to heed

Sir Robert's furious condemnation,

naming him the culprit.

The audience arose as one, in anger,

demanding Edward Brown be freed,

and the deceiving scoundrel now exposed,

be sentenced for his loathsome deed.

In panic the member bolted from the stand,

shying from Sir Robert's hand, but

in the melee, stumbled down

right at the feet of Edward Brown.

Fear clawed his heart, eyes locked in terror

as Edward Brown, the blow did render,

with killing force upon the rogue,

and cried aloud, 'For Mary Bender!'

Stunned and staggered, Sir Robert Spence

bemoaned his client's sound defense

now shattered by the vengeance spent,

"Oh, Edward..." came his sad lament.

Brown's retribution now achieved;

a measure of his heart relieved, 'tho

remorse beat still against the cost;

a justice won - a victory lost.

So ends the tale of Edward Brown,

avenger of his lover slain, his innocence

relinquished in favour of a greater gain.

Freedom and the right to live, this choice

he did surrender, electing in it's stead

eternity with Mary Bender.