YES, though He well may tremble at the sound Of his own voice, who from the judgment-seat Sends the pale Convict to his last retreat In death; though Listeners shudder all around, They know the dread requital's source profound; Nor is, they feel, its wisdom obsolete -- (Would that it were!) the sacrifice unmeet For Christian Faith. But hopeful signs abound; The social rights of man breathe purer air, Religion deepens her preventive care; Then, moved by needless fear of past abuse, Strike not from Law's firm hand that awful rod, But leave it thence to drop for lack of use: Oh, speed the blessed hour, Almighty God! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN INVITE TO ETERNITY by JOHN CLARE IN THE SHADOWS: 20 by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861) SENCE YOU WENT AWAY by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON SONNET: 109 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE TO THE CUCKOO (1) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SONNET TO W-- P-- by BERNARD BARTON HELL AND HATE by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES |