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DEAD! my wayward boy -- _my own_ --
Not _the Law's! _ but _mine_ -- the good
God's free gift to me alone,
Sanctified by motherhood.
 
"Bad," you say: Well, who is not?
"Brutal" -- "with a heart of stone" --
And "red-handed. " -- Ah! the hot
Blood upon your own!
 
I come not, with downward eyes,
To plead for him shamedly, --
God did not apologize
When He gave the boy to me.
 
Simply, I make ready now
For _His_ verdict. -- _You_ prepare --
You have killed us both -- and how
Will you face us There!
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