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SONNETS UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH: 1. LANCASTER CASTLE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

Poet Analysis

First Line: THIS SPOT - AT ONCE UNFOLDING SIGHT SO FAIR
Last Line: SHED ON THEIR CHAINS; AND HENCE THAT DOLEFUL NAME.

THIS Spot -- at once unfolding sight so fair
Of sea and land, with yon grey towers that still
Rise up as if to lord it over air --
Might soothe in human breasts the sense of ill,
Or charm it out of memory; yea, might fill
The heart with joy and gratitude to God
For all his bounties upon man bestowed:
Why bears it then the name of "Weeping Hill"?
Thousands, as toward yon old Lancastrian Towers,
A prison's crown, along this way they past
For lingering durance or quick death with shame,
From this bare eminence thereon have cast
Their first look -- blinded as tears fell in showers
Shed on their chains; and hence that doleful name.




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