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. @3Soft neck that he had kissed!@1 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. @3His arms about her flung!@1 Two captive Indians and one Guinea slave, Hating at heart the merciless white God, In the stubborn ground were hacking her shallow grave. @3Sweet April path they trod!@1 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. @3She heard love's whispering.@1 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. @3Her food was more divine.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET: 24. THE STREET by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL ESTRANGEMENT by WILLIAM WATSON TIPPERARY: 5. BY OUR OWN EUGENE FIELD by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS RIVER OF SEVILLE by AL-KUTANDI EVENING TRAINS by MARY TRUE AYER IN THE NIGHT by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT AN ARGUMENT FOR DAVID'S BELIEF OF A FUTURE STATE by JOHN BYROM THE CHERUBS; SUGGESTED BY AN APOLOGUE IN THE WORKS OF FRANKLIN by THOMAS CAMPBELL |