They are not allowed to take sides
They must sit exaltedly
In black robes, stern
The high judges

This is how the old Titorelli
immortalized them in his paintings
fully compliant with the instructions
and the imagination of the people

But no one ever sees them
They shield themselves
With guards and clerks
They keep their sessions secret

upstairs in the attic rooms
on an old horse blanket
over the torn seat
of their kitchen chair

They have deaf ears
for the pleaders and order
the court ushers to encourage
the suspects in the corridors