Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HANGING, by JAMES EDWARD HERVEY MACDONALD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HANGING, by                    
First Line: I bind the soul that fathered me
Last Line: I hang, behead, electrocute.;
Subject(s): Capital Punishment; Jesus Christ; Law & Lawyers; Hanging; Executions; Death Penalty


"It has been decided that the law must be allowed to take its
course."—DAILY PAPER

THE LAW SPEAKS:

I bind the Soul that fathered me;
I am the Law, and resolute
Against the growing of the Soul,
I hang, behead, electrocute.

I take my course. How fine the day!
And all are here by duty stirred,
Hangman and prisoner, warden and press,
And Jesus with the Holy Word.

I am the Law. May order rule!
My warrant let the warden read,
Then all with proper decency
Will to our lifted stage proceed.

How fine the day! The happy sun
Beams into corridor and square
To cheer our prisoner and bless
The purpose of our altar there.

Our footsteps on the sunny stones
Beat to the pulse of earth and star;
The law that drives yon budding tree
Condemned our prisoner at its bar.

Let Jesus hold his trembling arm
And stand beside him to the end
(He loves these opportunities
To function as experienced friend).

Now, hangman, use your cunning well,
And hide his face that none may see
The anguish of his tortured soul.
I take my course, let these things be.

Come, Jesus, speak your little prayer
And, when "Deliver us" is said,
Then, hangman, draw the gliding bolt
And give our brother air to tread.

"Our Father," sound the gracious words,
"Thy will be done"—and all the rest—
(I hope our poor delivered friend
Had time to note the subtle jest).

He shoots into the opened dark,
His soul is torn through narrow ways.
I take my course. I only see
A straightened rope that trembling sways.

I bind the Soul that fathered me;
I am the Law, and resolute
Against the growing of the Soul,
I hang, behead, electrocute.;





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