Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SARAH THREENEEDLES (BOSTON, 1698), by KATHARINE LEE BATES Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: By the grim grace of the puritans she had been Last Line: Her food was more divine. Subject(s): Infanticide; Capital Punishment' Puritans | ||||||||
By the grim grace of the Puritans she had been brought Into their frigid meeting-house to list Her funeral sermon before the rope ran taut. Soft neck that he had kissed! Through the narrow window her dazed blue eyes could see The rope. Like a glittering icicle it hung From the hoar cross-beam of the horrible gallows-tree. His arms about her flung! Two captive Indians and one Guinea slave, Hating at heart the merciless white God, In the stubborn ground were hacking her shallow grave. Sweet April path they trod! Her shivering neighbors thrilled to the fierce discourse Of the minister, who thundered the dire sting Of a sinner's death till his vehement voice went hoarse. She heard love's whispering. And still she stood while the frozen communion bread, That the preacher broke ere he poured the chilly wine, Rattling into the plates, her judges fed. Her food was more divine. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FIRST VOYAGE OF JOHN CABOT [1497] by KATHARINE LEE BATES A MOUNTAIN SOUL (KATHARINE COMAN) by KATHARINE LEE BATES A SONG OF RICHES by KATHARINE LEE BATES A STRANGER IN SEYTHOPOLIS by KATHARINE LEE BATES AT CAMDEN by KATHARINE LEE BATES AUTUMN WEATHER by KATHARINE LEE BATES BRIEF LIFE by KATHARINE LEE BATES BROADCAST by KATHARINE LEE BATES CHRISTMAS AFTER WAR by KATHARINE LEE BATES DAWN AT LEXINGTON by KATHARINE LEE BATES |
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