SEE the Condemned alone within his cell And prostrate at some moment when remorse Stings to the quick, and, with resistless force, Assaults the pride she strove in vain to quell. Then mark him, him who could so long rebel, The crime confessed, a kneeling Penitent Before the Altar, where the Sacrament Softens his heart, till from his eyes outwell Tears of salvation. Welcome death! while Heaven Does in this change exceedingly rejoice; While yet the solemn heed the State hath given Helps him to meet the last Tribunal's voice In faith, which fresh offences, were he cast On old temptations, might for ever blast. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ANSWER TO THE PARSON by WILLIAM BLAKE THE BANKS O' DOON by ROBERT BURNS TO THOMAS MOORE (1) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON VOICES OF THE NIGHT: PRELUDE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW POOR [OR, COCK] ROBIN by MOTHER GOOSE TO THE UNKNOWN EROS: BOOK 1: 8. DEPARTURE by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE FANCIES AT NAVESINK: 2 by WALT WHITMAN BRONZE TRUMPETS AND SEA WATER; ON TURNING LATIN VERSE INTO ENGLISH by ELINOR WYLIE |