YES, though He well may tremble at the sound Of his own voice, who from the judgment-seat Sends the pale Convict to his last retreat In death; though Listeners shudder all around, They know the dread requital's source profound; Nor is, they feel, its wisdom obsolete -- (Would that it were!) the sacrifice unmeet For Christian Faith. But hopeful signs abound; The social rights of man breathe purer air, Religion deepens her preventive care; Then, moved by needless fear of past abuse, Strike not from Law's firm hand that awful rod, But leave it thence to drop for lack of use: Oh, speed the blessed hour, Almighty God! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ELEGY UPON THE DEATH OF DOCTOR DONNE, DEAN OF PAUL'S by THOMAS CAREW THE ROAD NOT TAKEN by ROBERT FROST ROLL-CALL by NATHANIEL GRAHAM SHEPHERD TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS HOOD by BARTHOLOMEW SIMMONS FAMILIAR EPISTLE TO A LITTLE BOY by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM BYROAD by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN - PROLOGUE FOR MISS FONTENELLE by ROBERT BURNS |