Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-03-11
DmB 1YRRa
WORDswORrH's NEW sONNETs.


wORDSwORTH's NEW sONNETs.
Tho last London Quarterly contains in an
able article on Capital Punishment, four
beautiful sonnes from the pen of tho in.
comparable WoRpswoRTH, which have new
or before been published. They we're elected
by the recent discussion of this important
subject in Parliament, and will be found to
be an exquisite production, as we'll for their
admirable philosophy, and clear reasoning.
as for splendid versilication.
Thus, the broad question which j, eft tor
tho country to look AT, in rcs1ec''o me pun
ishment BY death, is in ef1rc,ns aoo''t'"n'
1t is to this question tina, NJ. W oroswor'nS
Sonnc,s refer and the g'ncra' dr'i' OF 'he
sentiments which they express, IS ti'at 'herc
is a dccper charity. and more enlarged
view of religious obligations than that winch
would dictate such a measure in this country,
in the present state Of society. Our belief
Is. that the great body Of opinion in the
eaun,ry on this subject is sound, and that tho
argumen, Of inrfficaey from unpopularity,
winch was Justly employed to effect the m''i-
CATION Of the penal coda in 1897, would he
altogether unfounded as az argument for the
removal of capital pvaisl'ments from the
crimes of vinlence and blood, to which alone
j, is awarded by the law as it now stands
But even If this plea of unPopularity were to
be regarded as still extent, il is beside the
purpose of one who like Mr.. Wordsworth,a d-
dresses himself to the public mind. and aims
at the amendment Of that very state of pub
lie sentiment which is the ground of tho arcl-
men,, and who regards legislative concessions
10 such a state of sentiment as afordup an
apparent sanction and an actual accession
Of strrng to these errors, whether generally
or las we belicve) only partially prevalent,
which he desires to correct.
This part of the controversy, it was not
within the scope Of Mr.. Worlswnrth's pur-
poses to deal with, and there are, of course,
other paris which are insusccptible of pnrti-
cal treatment. But the main subject, being
subject for deep feelings, large views, and
high augmentation, is essentially a subject
for poetry, and especially SO in the hands
Of one who has been accustomed, during \
life which has now reached three score wears
and ten, to consider the sentiments and iutly-
me is which no uttcrs IN poetry, with as
they were delivered from the bench or the
pulpit.
The frs, Of the series is suggested by a
view of Lancaster C,s,lr, seen from an mi.
nencc called Weeping Hin bel 2 the spot
from which criminals on their way to the
Castle first have it in sight.
This pat once unfolding sight so fa,
OF SEA and d, " III yon gr, VT 'wers that still
RISE up as II 10 io'd It over air
Might so1ihe IN humli breasts the s'ne~ of ILL.,
Or charm 1t NJ OF memory; v-i. might fill
The heart with Joy and gratitude t God
For all his b)un les np'n man bestoved
WHY hears t then the oi "Wecti q Hil?
TIL bls'nlI, tow ri Won . d La casii,n towers
pHsons crown, along this wav thew p,ss'd
F,r lingering dnrance or quick dr,th with shame,
Fro;n This bare eininrnc' thereon laverast
Tleir his Iok-h!nded. tears fell in showers
Shed IN their chains; and hence that dolefu name.
This sonnet prepares the reader to SYM.
pathsc with the sull,.rngs of the culpri,s
the next cautions him as to the limits with,
which his sympathcs are to be restrained:
Ten 'elv d, we feel by Natnre's law
For worst offenders tho the heart viii heavs
With ind marion, deeply moved we arieve
In after IN 'igAt for HIM who stood in awe
Neither Of God nor man, and only saw,
Lost wre ch! n ho"rlil. vice cnthronei
On nroud temptations, ii the victim q'oaned
Under The steel his hunl had dared to draw.
But oh !! restrain compass on, if its course,
As of he!alls, prevent, or Turn aside
Judgments, and aims, aud acts, who's higher sourc
lssympathy with the unforewarn that died
Plamel ss-wllh them who sh ddercd o'er his era We
And al. who from the law firm safety craze
In the third and fourth sonnc,s the rcade
prepared to regard as low and rl1rmlnatt
the views which would estimate life an
death as the mos, important OF all sublunar
considerations.
The Roman consul doomed his TO die
Who had beraye tn If country. The stern word
Afforded (nay il thro' all time affordD
A theme for praise and admiration high.
Upon the sIrince of humanity
He rested not lis depths his mind eypored
He feti bur his parental hosom's Lord
Was duiy-duty calned lis agony.
And slue, we know, when they BY willful oct
single human life have wrongly nkcn
Pass sentence on lhein.rivc confess the fact,
And IT, atone for H. with soul mistaken
Kn el At the feet Of J stice and r faill,
Broken with all manknI solicit Death
Is Dea.i, when evil arains, good has roagh,
With 81 h fell mastery that man cou'h dare
BY deeds the blackc,t purpose 10 lay bare
Is Deah lor one 10 that condition br, ughi
For hun or my one the thing that ought
To be most dreaded t'wcvcrs! beware
Lest capital pains rcnl ting II We spare
The murderer, We 81 lciion t. that thought
Seemingly given. d-bnsr the rene-al mind;
Tempt the vaguc W II tried Standards 10 dlsown;
Nor only pnlpahle restraints nnhind
Bm upon Homo head ds'u The crown
Whose n solu- rule icrmils not TO Withstand
In the wea love Of life his least command
In the fifth, the poet rejects the noti
that the State has no right TO exact the 70
fixture of lie, and rerudiatrs "A repeal
capital punishment on any such ground,
belngnot only ofevl consequence in its eff
upon crime; bat ass,rking al all the pub
benefits wlIch flow from a reverence on I
part of the people for the authority of I
State. This view is adduced, of course, I
as in itself an argument IN favor of punis
ment by death, but as bearing against ii
particular argument for its abolition viii
alleges defect Of authority on tho par,
the State.
v.
moi 10 the object lv 4isiaoal