SONNETS
UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH
III
SONNETS
UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH
THE Roman Consul doomed his sons to die Who had betrayed their country. The stern word Afforded (may it through all time afford) A theme for praise and admiration high. Upon the surface of humanity 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.