The bill charged on was payable at sight,
And decree was craved by Alexander Wight;[100]
But because it bore a penalty in case of failzie,
It therefore was null, contended Willie Baillie.[101]
The Ordinary, not choosing to judge it at random,
Did with the minutes make _avisandum_;
And as the pleadings were vague and windy,
His lordship ordered memorials _hinc inde_.
We, setting a stout heart to a stay brae,
Took into the cause Mr David Rae.[102]
Lord Auchinleck,[103] however, repelled our defence,
And, over and above, decerned for expense.
However, of our cause not being ashamed,
Unto the whole lords we straightway reclaimed;
And our Petition was appointed to be seen,
Because it was drawn by Robbie Macqueen.[104]
The Answer by Lockhart[105] himself it was wrote,
And in it no argument nor fact was forgot.
He is the lawyer that from no cause will flinch,
And on this occasion divided the bench.
Alemore[106] the judgment as illegal blames;
‘’Tis equity, you bitch,’ replies my Lord Kames.[107]
‘This cause,’ cries Hailes,[108] ‘to judge I can’t pretend,
For _justice_, I perceive, wants an _e_ at the end.’
Lord Coalstoun[109] expressed his doubts and his fears;
And Strichen[110] threw in his _weel-weels_ and _oh dears_.
‘This cause much resembles the case of Mac-Harg,
And should go the same way,’ says Lordie Barjarg.[111]
‘Let me tell you, my lords, this cause is no joke!’
Says, with a horse-laugh, my Lord Elliock.[112]
‘To have read all the papers I pretend not to brag!’
Says my Lord Gardenstone[113] with a snuff and a wag.
Up rose the President,[114] and an angry man was he—
‘To alter the judgment I can never agree!’
The east wing cried ‘YES,’ and the west wing cried ‘NOT;’
And it was carried ‘ADHERE’[115] by my lord’s casting vote.
The cause being somewhat knotty and perplext,
Their lordships did not know how they’d determine next;
And as the session was to rise so soon,
They superseded extract till the 12th of June.[116]