English poem
“See The Condemned Alone Within His Cell”
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, 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; 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.
More by William Wordsworth
- “Peaceful Our Valley, Fair And Green”
- “Proud Were Ye, Mountains, When, In Times Of Old”
- “Said Red-Ribboned Evans”
- “Said Secrecy To Cowardice And Fraud”
- “Shall He Who Gives His Days To Low Pursuits”
- “Six Months To Six Years Added He Remained”
- “So Fair, So Sweet, Withal So Sensitive”
- “Sweet Was The Walk Along The Narrow Lane”