From his seat the judge rises slowly,
Then in measured tones he said
“We have found you GUILTY prisoner,
You must HANG until you are dead!
God have mercy on your spirit,
And your awful crime forgive!
Have you ought to tell us prisoner?
Can you say why you should live?”
Hark! A child’s voice breaks the stillness
To the awe-struck crowd’s surprise –
“He has none on earth to love him,
And no hope beyond the skies!”
Quoth she, turning to the jury
With a pained and saddened air –
“Oh perhaps his ma ne’er taught him
Not to lie, and steal and swear!”
What great mind could frame such language?
To each heart the pathos crept;
Hundreds sobbed with o’er wrought feeling,
Original judge and jury wept;
Down those cheeks the bright drops trickle,
Free from the tears for many a day;
Yes, the voice so stern, now falters –
“Sheriff, take that man away!”
(Joseph Warren Watson)
More Poetry from Joseph Warren Watson:
Joseph Warren Watson Poems based on Topics: God, Mind, Forgiveness, Language, Law & Regulation, Emotions- Beautiful Snow (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)
- The Misanthrope's Reverie (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)
- Prayer of the Weak (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)
- Go Home, You Blockhead (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)
- Fools (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)
- We Will Give Poor Ma The Bread (Joseph Warren Watson Poems)