Straw

The Rape of Lucrece, [1016-1022]. “Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools,/ Unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators!/ Busy yourselves in still-contending schools;/ Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters;/ To trembling clients be you mediators./ For me, I force not argument a straw,/ Since that my case is past the help of law.”