Reader, farewell! My last words let them be- If simple Nature trained by careful Art 1839. The fourteen sonnets "Upon the Punishment of Death were originally published in the Quarterly Review (in December 1841), in an article on the "Sonnets of William Wordsworth" by Henry (now Sir Henry) Taylor, the author of Philip van Artevelde, and other poems. Towards the close of this article, after reviewing the volume of sonnets published in 1838, Sir Henry adds, "There is a short series written two years ago, which we have been favoured with permission to present to the public for the first time. It was suggested by the recent discussions in Parliament and elsewhere on the subject of the 'Punishment of Death.'" When republishing this and other critical Essays on Poetry, in the collected edition of his works in 1878, Sir Henry omitted the paragraphs relating to these particular sonnets. SUGGESTED BY THE VIEW OF LANCASTER CASTLE (ON THE ROAD FROM THE SOUTH.) THIS Spot at once unfolding sight so fair Of sea and land, with yon grey towers that still Rise up as if to lord it over air— "In the session of 1836, a report by the Commissioners on Criminal Law-of which the second part was on this subject (the Punishment of Death) was laid before Parliament. In the ensuing session this Might soothe in human breasts the sense of ill, II. † TENDERLY do we feel by Nature's law For worst offenders: though the heart will heave was followed by papers presented to Parliament by her Majesty's command, and consisting of a correspondence between the Commissioners, Lord John Russell, and Lord Denman. Upon the foundation afforded by these documents, the bills of the 17th July 1837-(7th Gul. IV. and 1st Vict. cap. 84 to 89 and 91)—were brought in and passed. These acts removed the punishment of death from about 200 offences, and left it applicable to high treason, -murder and attempts at murder-rape-arson with danger to life-and to piracies, burglaries, and robberies, when aggravated by cruelty and violence." (Sir Henry Taylor, Quarterly Review, Dec. 1841, p. 39.) Some members of the House of Commons-Mr Fitzroy Kelly, Mr Ewart, and others-desired a further limitation of the punishment of death to the crimes of murder and treason only: and the question of the entire abolition of capital punishment being virtually before the country, Wordsworth dealt with it in the following series of sonnets.-Ed. * The name given to the spot from which criminals on their way to the Castle of Lancaster first see it.-ED. + "The first sonnet prepares the reader to sympathise with the sufferings of the culprits. The next cautions him as to the limits within which his sympathies are to be restrained." (Sir H. Taylor.)-ED. Lost wretch, a horrible device enthroned. On proud temptations, till the victim groaned Judgments and aims and acts whose higher source III. * THE Roman Consul doomed his sons to die A theme for praise and admiration high. He rested not; its depths his mind explored; He felt; but his parental bosom's lord And some, we know, when they by wilful act 1 1840. that died 1839. * "In the third and fourth sonnets the reader is prepared to regard as low and effeminate the views which would estimate life and death as the most important of all sublunary conditions." (Sir H. Taylor.)—Ed. + Lucius Junius Brutus, who condemned his took in the conspiracy to restore the Tarquins. sons to die for the part they (See Livy, Book II.)-ED. IV. Is Death, when evil against good has fought But upon Honour's head disturb the crown, V. NOT to the object specially designed, Is the wise Legislator's view confined. His Spirit, when most severe, is oft most kind; As all Authority in earth depends On Love and Fear, their several powers he blends, Copying with awe the one Paternal mind. Uncaught by processes in show humane, He feels how far the act would derogate From even the humblest functions of the State; If she, self-shorn of Majesty, ordain That never more shall hang upon her breath The last alternative of Life or Death. 96 BEFORE THE WORLD HAD PASSED HER TIME OF YOUTH. VI.* YE brood of conscience- Spectres! that frequent In act, as hovering Angels when they spread A laxity that could not but impair Your power to punish crime, and so prevent. VII. BEFORE the world had passed her time of youth The precept eye for eye, and tooth. for tooth, Patience his law, long-suffering his school, And love the end, which all through peace must seek. But lamentably do they err who strain His mandates, given rash impulse to controul * "The sixth sonnet adverts to the effects of the law in preventing the crime of murder, not merely by fear, but by horror, by investing the crime itself with the colouring of dark and terrible imaginations." (Sir H Taylor.)-ED. |