"That insists on bursting thro'?"

A desp'rate man whom none may withstand,

For look, there is something clench'd in his hand—-

Tho' the bearer is ready to drop—-

He waves it wildly to and fro,

And hark! how the crowd are shouting below—-

"Back!"—-

And back the opposing barriers go,

"A reprieve for the Cannongate murderer Ho!

"In the Queen's name—-