POETRY. 723 



How worthy Pity, Love, Respect, and Grief- 

 He claims Protection — he compels Relief;— 

 And shall we send him from our view, to brave 5 



The Storms abroad, whom we at home might save, > 

 And let a Stranger dig our ancient Brother's Grave ? 3 

 No ! — we will shield him from the Storm he fears, 

 And when he falls, embalm him with our Tears. 



THE FELON'S DREAM. 



[^From the same.'] 



When first I came 



Within his view, I fancied there was Shame, 

 I judg'd Resentment ; I mistook the Air, — 

 These fainter Passions live not with Despair ; 

 Or but exist and die : — Hope, Fear, and Love, 

 Joy, Doubt, and Hate, may other Spirits move, 

 But touch not his, who every waking hour 

 Has one fix'd Dread, and always feels its power. 



" But will not Mercy ?" — No ! she cannot plead 

 For such an Outrage ; — 'twas a cruel Deed : 

 He stopp'd a timid Traveller; — to his Breast, 

 With Oaths and Curses, was the Danger prest : 

 No ! he must suffer ; Pity we may find 

 For one Man's Pangs, but must not wrong Mankind. 



Still I behold him, every thought employ'd 

 On one dire View ! — all others are destroy'd; 

 This makes his Features ghastly, gives the tone 

 Of his few words resemblance to a groan : 

 He takes his tasteless Food, and when 'tis done, 

 Counts up his Meals, now lessen'd by that one ; 

 For Expectation is on Time intent, 

 Whether he brings us Joy or Punishment. 



Yes ! e'en in sleep th' impressions all remain, 

 He hears the Sentence and he feels the Chain ; 

 He sees the Judge and Jury, when he shakes. 

 And loudly cries, *' Not Guilty," and awakes : 

 Then chilling Tremblings o'er his Body creep, 

 Till worn-out Nature is compell'd to sleep. 



Now comes the Dream again : it shows each Scene, 

 With each small Circumstance that comes between — 

 The Call to Suffering and the very Deed — 

 There Crowds go with him, follow, and precede, 



3 A2 



