Silence in Court! Silence in Court!

According to the Associated Press via Wonkette, Chief Justice Rehnquist was hospitalized overnight on Tuesday for a fever, and reports say he remains in the hospital. The AP story also notes:

The confirmation of the hospitalization followed unusual comings and goings at Rehnquist's suburban Virginia town home. A court police officer made several trips to the house, leaving each time with various personal items. First the officer carried out Rehnquist's distinctive cane and a shirt. Later, he brought out shoes and pants.

Unconfirmed sources say the Chief told the court officer the following story in order to aide him in retrieving the items:

When I, good friends, was called to the bar,
I'd an appetite fresh and hearty.
But I was, as many young barristers are,
An impecunious party.

I'd a swallow-tail coat of a beautiful blue --
And a brief which I bought of a booby --
A couple of shirts, and a collar or two,
And a ring that looked like a ruby!

Others say Rehnquist is planning on holding out until the very end:

Though all my law be fudge,
Yet I'll never, never budge,
But I'll live and die a Judge!

(And a good judge, too!)

Thanks to our friends at Boise State for their help in quoting the sources.

[UPDATE (7 pm EDT): forgot to include the Rehny Watch blog. H/T Wonkette, again. She's puuuurty.]