[198] “The first sonnet prepares the reader to sympathise with the sufferings of the culprits. The next cautions him as to the limits within which his sympathies are to be restrained.” (Sir Henry Taylor.)--ED. [199] 1842. … that died 1841. III[200] “THE ROMAN CONSUL DOOMED HIS SONS TO DIE” The Roman Consul doomed his sons to die Who had betrayed their country.[201] The stern word Afforded (may it through all time afford) A theme for praise and admiration high. Upon the surface of humanity 5 He rested not; its depths his mind explored; He felt; but his parental bosom’s lord Was Duty,--Duty calmed his agony. And some, we know, when they by wilful act A single human life have wrongly taken, 10 Pass sentence on themselves, confess the fact, And, to atone for it, with soul unshaken Kneel at the feet of Justice, and, for faith Broken with all mankind, solicit death. [200] “In the third and fourth sonnets the reader is prepared to regard as low and effeminate the views which would estimate life and death as the most important of all sublunary conditions.” (Sir Henry Taylor.)--ED. [201] Lucius Junius Brutus, who condemned his sons to die for the part they took in the conspiracy to restore the Tarquins. (See Livy, book ii.)--ED. IV “IS _DEATH_, WHEN EVIL AGAINST GOOD HAS FOUGHT” 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 5 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, 10 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. V “NOT TO THE OBJECT SPECIALLY DESIGNED” Not to the object specially designed, Howe’er momentous in itself it be, Good to promote or curb depravity, Is the wise Legislator’s view confined. His Spirit, when most severe, is oft most kind; 5 As all Authority in earth depends On Love and Fear, their several powers he blends, Copying with awe the one Paternal mind. Uncaught by processes in show humane, He feels how far the act would derogate 10 From even the humblest functions of the State; If she, self-shorn of Majesty, ordain That never more shall hang upon her breath The last alternative of Life or Death. VI[202] “YE BROOD OF CONSCIENCE--SPECTRES! THAT FREQUENT”