Extempore In The Court Of Session

    extempore in the court of session
    tune—“killiercrankie.”
    lord advocate
    he clenched his pamphlet in his fist,
    he ed and he hinted,
    till, in a declamation-mist,
    his argument he tint it:
    he gaped for't, he graped for't,
    he fand it was awa, man;
    but what his common sense came short,
    he eked out wi' law, man.
    mr. erskine
    collected, harry stood awee,
    then open'd out his arm, man;
    his lordship sat wi' ruefu' e'e,
    and ey'd the gathering storm, man:
    like wind-driven hail it did assail'
    or torrents owre a lin, man:
    the bench sae wise, lift up their eyes,
    half-wauken'd wi' the din, man.