THE POETICAL WORKS OF WILLIAM WORDSWORTH, VOL. 8 (Completed)

SONNETS UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH

IN SERIES

Composed 1839.--Published 1841

"In the session of 1836, a report by the Commissioners on Criminal Law--of which the second part was on this subject (the Punishment of Death)--was laid before Parliament. In the ensuing session this was followed by papers presented to Parliament by her Majesty's command, and consisting of a correspondence between the Commissioners, LordJohn Russell, and Lord Denman. Upon the foundation afforded by these documents, the bills of the 17th July 1837--(7th Gul. IV. and 1stVict. cap. 84 to 89 and 91)--were brought in and passed. These acts removed the punishment of death from about 200 offences, and left it applicable to high treason,--murder and attempts at murder--rape--arson with danger to life--and to piracies, burglaries, and robberies when aggravated by cruelty and violence." (Sir Henry Taylor, _QuarterlyReview_, Dec. 1841, p. 39.) Some members of the House of Commons--Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. Ewart, and others--desired a further limitation of the punishment of death to the crimes of murder and treason only: and the question of the entire abolition of capital punishment being virtually before the country, Wordsworth dealt with it in the following series of sonnets.--ED.

I

SUGGESTED BY THE VIEW OF LANCASTER CASTLE (ON THE ROAD FROM THE SOUTH)

This Spot--at once unfolding sight so fair

Of sea and land, with yon grey towers that still

Rise up as if to lord it over air--

Might soothe in human breasts the sense of ill,

Or charm it out of memory; yea, might fill

The heart with joy and gratitude to God

For all his bounties upon man bestowed:

Why bears it then the name of "Weeping Hill"?[197]

Thousands, as toward yon old Lancastrian Towers,

A prison's crown, along this way they past

For lingering durance or quick death with shame,

From this bare eminence thereon have cast

Their first look--blinded as tears fell in showers

Shed on their chains; and hence that doleful name.

[197] The name given to the spot from which criminals on their way to the Castle of Lancaster first see it.--ED.

II [198]

"TENDERLY DO WE FEEL BY NATURE'S LAW"

Tenderly do we feel by Nature's law

For worst offenders: though the heart will heave

With indignation, deeply moved we grieve,

In after thought, for Him who stood in awe

Neither of God nor man, and only saw,

Lost wretch, a horrible device enthroned

On proud temptations, till the victim groaned

Under the steel his hand had dared to draw.

But O, restrain compassion, if its course,