SONNETS
UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH
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SONNETS
UPON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH
OUR bodily life, some plead, that life the shrine Of an immortal spirit, is a gift So sacred, so informed with light divine, That no tribunal, though most wise to sift Deed and intent, should turn the Being adrift Into that world where penitential tear May not avail, nor prayer have for God’s ear A voice–that world whose veil no hand can lift For earthly sight. “Eternity and Time,” ‘They’ urge, “have interwoven claims and rights 10 Not to be jeopardised through foulest crime: The sentence rule by mercy’s heaven-born lights.” Even so; but measuring not by finite sense Infinite Power, perfect Intelligence.