Extempore, in the Court of Session
Lord Advocate
He clench'd 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;
And 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-driv'n 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.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
Works written in 1787—The works of Robert Burns
Most Burns works can be attributed to a specific year.
Works read by Barbara Rafferty—The works of Robert Burns
All her recordings from the 250th anniversary project.
More clips from The works of Robert Burns
-
He Till't and She Till't
Duration: 00:17
-
The Heron Ballads : Wham will we send to London town
Duration: 02:16
-
Sic a wife as Willie's Wife
Duration: 01:17
-
To Robert Graham of Fintry Esq
Duration: 05:55