"FORGIVE them, for they know not what they do!" He said, and so went shriven to his fate, -- Unknowing went, that generous heart and true. Even while he spoke, the slayer lay in wait, And when the morning opened Heaven's gate There passed the whitest soul a nation knew. Henceforth all thoughts of pardon are too late; They, in whose cause that arm it weapon drew, Have murdered Mercy. Now alone shall stand Blind Justice, with the sword unsheathed she wore. Hark, from the eastern to the western strand, The swelling thunder of the people's roar: What words they murmur, -- Fetter not her hand! So let it smite, such deeds shall be no more! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LORD WALTER'S WIFE by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING I DREAM I'M LEAVING by MARGARET AHO THE STORY OF FIORDISPINA, FR. ORLANDO FURIOSO by LUDOVICO (LODOVICO) ARIOSTO THE STEAM-ENGINE: CANTO 10. ROSES ALL THE WAY by T. BAKER LILIES: 12. 'YET I ENDURE.' by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE SINGERS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |