"This joke of my contriving,

If you don't see it, Sir, you ought;

If not—well—'tis contempt of Court."

The Counsel then explained it, but

Quite failed the point to show him;

The Usher muttered "Tut-tut-tut!"

The Jury whispered "Blow him!"

Then several people wrote it down.

The Prisoner still wore a frown.

"Am I supposed to laugh at that?