The Village Hangman
© Copyright 2001 Richard Brodie
| The first stanza of The Village Blacksmith by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: |
| Under a spreading chestnut-tree
The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands. |
The hangman's tryst with dreaded death
Comes as an alarum clangs; He finds law's business very grim - The human's horrid pangs! Date with eternity on a limb Is set - thy sinner hangs! |