Pointed thoughts of Life and Death,
    Anxious sore solicitude,
  Shake my frame, suspend my breath,
    When Terror’s gloomy shades protrude.

  But when Hope cheers me with the sound
    Of Mercy’s voice, of Mercy’s plea,
  And tells me Mercy will be found
    Amongst the twelve to speak for me,

  Rapt Fancy hears the Cherub plead:  ... 
    Propitious is the Culprit’s fate,
  If one, by tender mercy sway’d,
    Amongst the Jurors takes his seat.

  One who will meek-ey’d Mercy’s laws
    Oppose to Rigour’s doubtful rule ... 
  Nor quit the hapless Culprit’s cause,
    Though sterner Judgements deem him fool.

  Blessings that wait his heart, his tongue,
    Cannot elate his tranquil breast: 
  He courts no blessing from the throng;
    He is, and ever will be, blest.

  He shall win the Jury’s ear,
    Pity glist’ning in his eye;
  Let us not be too severe.... 
    If we let the Culprit die,

  Fruitlessly we may bewail
    In future, should our hearts relent: 
  O! then let Mercy’s voice prevail;
    Mercy we can ne’er repent.

  Mercy smiles, and every face
    Reflects the Cherub’s aspect meek;
  Glowing with her resistless grace,
    Mercy beams on every cheek.

  Hope, thy presage cannot fail. 
    Bid my Mary cease to mourn;
  Surely Mercy shall prevail,
    And I to Love and Life return.

  Shall I the lenient Verdict hear,
    Thrilling through my shivering frame? 
  Ye Jurors, clad in smiles appear,
    To realize this happy dream.

  Their Deliberation’s o’er,
    How shall I the Crisis meet? 
  Hark!  I hear the opening door:  ... 
    Silence and Awe attend their feet!

  They enter ... though no voice is heard,
    Mercy in each face I see;
  They speak ... and in the single word
    Is Life, and Love, and Liberty!

* * * * *

[Footnote 9:  The sentiment of Lucretius—­

  Suave etiam Martis certamina magna tueri
  Per campos instructa, tuo fine parte percli.

  Sweet to behold the Martial Contest spread
  Wide o’er the Plains, without thy share of Ill.

But the Philosophic Poet accounts for it by the heightened sense of safety; and not on the principle of Malevolence.]

[Footnote 10:  This Question may come before the Jury in Cases of Homicide, Assault and Battery, and other charges of that nature, which may be justifiable on circumstances:  but in many if the fact is found, as in Forgery, &c. the criminality, with some very rare exceptions, is a legal inference necessarily resulting from the fact.  C.L.]

* * * * *

YORKSHIRE DIP.

[The Country Ramble of Jupiter.—­The Feast:  ...  It’s Music, and Gaiety.—­The Dip makes it’s appearance.—­The Consequence.]