Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

152 . Extempore in the Court of Session

LORD ADVOCATE

HE clenched his pamphlet in his fist,

He quoted and he hinted,

Till, in a declamation-mist,

His argument he tint it:

He gapèd for’t, he grapèd 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.