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.