An Essay on War, in Blank Verse; Honington Green, a Ballad; the Culprit, an Elegy; and Other Poems, on Various Subjects by Nathaniel Bloomfield
page 45 of 74 (60%)
page 45 of 74 (60%)
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And when encircled by the band,
Lingering torments, public shame, Severity's most ruthless hand Lacerates his manly frame: When many a hardy Soldier weeps, And grieves that he's compell'd to stay; Who perforce his station keeps, Or would soon be far away; Yet see beyond the circling guard, Idle gazers flocking round, To see and hear are pressing hard, As if the spot were fairy ground. What is it that a charm imparts? Why do they press to hear and see? Can it be that human hearts Delight in human misery? When the inexorable hour Chills the hopeless convict's blood; When sunk and drown'd his eve'ry power, In sorrow's overwhelming flood: To view the scene the many run, And o'er the hapless wretch to sigh: Nor once enquire the crime he' has done; ... They only come to see him die. |
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