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Before the motley group was placed—
He felt degraded—sunk—disgraced!
He nothing saw, and nothing heard—
But seemed to wait one only word
That should restore his innocence—
Or doom him, though without offence—
To degradation worse than death.
He trembled—scarcely drew his breath.
He felt degraded—sunk—disgraced!
He nothing saw, and nothing heard—
But seemed to wait one only word
That should restore his innocence—
Or doom him, though without offence—
To degradation worse than death.
He trembled—scarcely drew his breath.
The dread suspense was quickly o'er;
The keepers came, and each one swore
How he observed him at the snare—
Surprised and took him with the hare.
His guilt was plain, the counsel said,—
The judge looked grave and shook his head-
His wise head—full of England's laws,—
Yet friendly to the poor man's cause.
The keepers came, and each one swore
How he observed him at the snare—
Surprised and took him with the hare.
His guilt was plain, the counsel said,—
The judge looked grave and shook his head-
His wise head—full of England's laws,—
Yet friendly to the poor man's cause.
At length the dreaded verdict came;—
'Twas Guilty!—Collin reeled,—a flame
Seemed in his heart, and round his head;
His glazed eye closed—he sunk as dead.
Back to his cell they bore him now,
He felt not,—saw not,—cared not how.
'Twas Guilty!—Collin reeled,—a flame
Seemed in his heart, and round his head;
His glazed eye closed—he sunk as dead.
Back to his cell they bore him now,
He felt not,—saw not,—cared not how.
Within that crowded court was heard
One heavy groan;—but not a word
Betrayed the anguish of the heart.
'Twas but one groan—and then a start.
A fragile form—a hueless face,
Unseen, unnoticed, left the place.
One heavy groan;—but not a word
Betrayed the anguish of the heart.
'Twas but one groan—and then a start.
A fragile form—a hueless face,
Unseen, unnoticed, left the place.
