EXECUTION OF WILD ROBERT





This Poem was written about 1790, 

the Author is unknown, but it was found 

in an old book belonging to Jeremiah 

Powers, my grandfather.  

O.S. Powers



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Wild Robert was a graceless youth, 

And bold in every sin;

In early life with petty thefts,

His course he did begin.



But those who deal in lesser sins 

In great will soon offend

And pretty thefts, not chedk’d betimes, 

In murder soon may end.



And now, like any beast of prey, 

Wild Robert shrunk from view,

Save when at eve on Bagshot heath,

He met his harden’d crew.



With this fierce crew Wild Robert there

On plunder set his mind;

And watched and prowled the livelong night

To rob and slay mankind.



But God, whose venegeance never sleeps,

Though He delays the blow, 

Can in a single moment lay

The prosperous villain low. 



One night, a fatal night indeed

Within a neighboring wood,

A harmless passenger he robbed

And dyed his hands in blood.



The direful deed performed he went 

To show his golden spoils,

When vengeful justice, unawares,

Surprised him in her toils.



Wild Robert, seized, at once was known--

No crepe hid his face--

Imprisoned, tried, condemned to die,

Soon run was Robert’s race.



Since short the time the law allows

To murderers doomed to die,

How earnest should the suppliant wretch

To Heaven for mercy cry.