Extempore In The Court of Session

I know that Burns night has passed, but Burns' poems and songs can be enjoyed all year round. This poem very vividly and amusingly reminds me of what I'm not missing, the last line in particular being pure comedy genius. LORD ADVOCATE He clenched his pamphlets in his fist, He quoted 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, The open'd out his arm, man; His Lordship sat wi' ruefu' e'e, And ey'd the gathering storm, man; Like wind-driv'n hail it did assail, Or torrents owre a linn, man; The Bench sae wise lift up their eyes, Hauf-wauken'd wi' the din, man.