Extempore in the Court of Session
In “Extempore in the Court of Session,” the Lord Advocate delivers a heated but confused argument. Clutching his pamphlet, quoting and hinting until he loses the thread of his own declamation, he searches vainly for his point and compensates for a lack of common sense with legal argument. Mr. Erskine, identified as Harry, responds calmly at first, then launches into an overwhelming speech. His Lordship watches with troubled eyes as the attack falls like wind-driven hail or rushing torrents. The supposedly wise judges on the Bench raise their eyes, only half awake amid the uproar.
By Robert Burns · First published 1787 · Genre: Satirical Poetry, Political Satire, Comic Verse · 192 words
First lines
Tune-"Killiercrankie."
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 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
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Genres
- Satirical Poetry — The poem humorously mocks courtroom advocates and judicial proceedings through exaggerated descriptions of failed argument, legal verbosity, and rhetorical bluster.
- Political Satire — Its targets are prominent legal and public figures, especially the Lord Advocate and Mr. Erskine, placing the verse within Burns's broader tradition of satirizing Scottish public institutions and authority.
- Comic Verse — The poem derives its effect from caricature, colloquial punchlines, and the contrast between serious legal debate and ridiculous confusion.
- Occasional Poetry — It responds to a specific public and legal occasion, portraying identifiable contemporary participants rather than developing a fictional plot.
Tags
Scottish vernacular poetry · satirical verse · courtroom setting · Court of Session · legal argument · Lord Advocate · advocacy · forensic oratory · confused speech · lost argument · pamphlet · common sense versus law
What this Textopian page supports
Extempore in the Court of Session is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1787 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: 1787 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satirical Poetry, Political Satire, Comic Verse, Occasional Poetry, Scottish Dialect Poetry
- Length: 192 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for Extempore in the Court of Session by Robert Burns
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