To One Acquitted + 

Sir, you have killed a man and you are free⁠— + 

That is, your hanging ne’er will come about; + 

For I’ve observed when jurors disagree + 

’Tis not as ’tis when other thieves fall out. + 

Some honest men are in the case, no doubt, + 

But none come by their own⁠—not even the chap + 

Whose honest office is to spring the trap. + 

Some needy tramp, I think, is deputized + 

That lowly function to perform⁠—although + 

I must confess I am not well advised + 

Concerning that: I ne’er did undergo + 

A hanging; but if I am right you owe + 

The customary perquisite to some + 

Poor shivering and disappointed “bum.” + 

If Californian hangmen are too proud + 

To wear the clothing of the wretch they string, + 

And the good ancient custom’s been allowed + 

To lapse; or if so seldom murderers swing + 

In this good land that there is no such thing + 

As custom in the case, the truth we reach is: + 

You’ve forfeited your life, but not your breeches. + 