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, 5 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; 10 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. XIII[208] CONCLUSION 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; 5 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; 10 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! [208] “In the thirteenth sonnet he anticipates that a time may come when the punishment of death will be needed no longer; but he wishes that the disuse of it should grow out of the absence of the need, not be imposed by legislation.” (Sir Henry Taylor.)--ED. XIV APOLOGY The formal World relaxes her cold chain For One who speaks in numbers; ampler scope His utterance finds; and, conscious of the gain, Imagination works with bolder hope The cause of grateful reason to sustain; 5 And, serving Truth, the heart more strongly beats Against all barriers which his labour meets In lofty place, or humble Life’s domain. Enough;--before us lay a painful road, And guidance have I sought in duteous love 10 From Wisdom’s heavenly Father. Hence hath flowed Patience, with trust that, whatsoe’er the way Each takes in this high matter, all may move Cheered with the prospect of a brighter day. 1840.[209] [209] In the editions of 1842, 1845, and 1850 the date “1840” follows this poem. It may have been written in that year.--ED. “MEN OF THE WESTERN WORLD! IN FATE’S DARK BOOK” Published 1842 One of the “Sonnets dedicated to Liberty and Order.”--ED.