James the First

: Kings.

Soon after that would-be _Solomon_ came to the throne of
England, he went one day to hear the causes in Westminster Hall, in order

to show his learning and wisdom, of which he had no mean opinion.

Accordingly, being seated on the bench, a cause came on, which the counsel,

learned in the law, set forth to such advantage on the part of the

plaintiff, that the Royal Judge thought he saw the justice of it so

clearly, that he freq ently cried out, "The gude man is i' the richt! the

gude man is i' the richt! He mun hae it! he mun hae it!" And when the

counsel had concluded, he took it as a high affront that the judges of the

court should presume to remonstrate to him, that it was the rule to hear

the other side before they gave judgment. Curiosity to know what could be

said in so clear a case, rather than any respect to their rules, made him

defer his decision; but the defendant's counsel had scarcely begun to open

his cause, when his majesty appeared greatly discomposed, and was so

puzzled as they proceeded, that he had no patience to hear them out, but

starting up in a passion, cried, "I'll hear nae mair! I'll hear nae mair!

ye are a' knaves aleeke! Ye gi' each other the lee (lie), and neither's i'

the richt!"