IS 'Death', when evil against good has fought With such fell mastery that a man may dare By deeds the blackest purpose to lay bare? Is Death, for one to that condition brought, For him, or any one, the thing that ought To be 'most' dreaded? Lawgivers, beware, Lest, capital pains remitting till ye spare The murderer, ye, by sanction to that thought Seemingly given, debase the general mind; Tempt the vague will tried standards to disown, Nor only palpable restraints unbind, But upon Honour's head disturb the crown, Whose absolute rule permits not to withstand In the weak love of life his least command. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHANGE by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS A COWBOY'S WORRYING LOVE by JAMES BARTON ADAMS MOONRISE AT SEA by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A PORTRAIT by JOSEPH ASHBY-STERRY GEORGE WASHINGTON by LAURA REW BIXBY AN OLD-WORLD CONVENT GARDEN by ABBIE FARWELL BROWN |