An Execution

Upon the left, the bandit chief
Who caused such havoc and such grief;

A pity more of his attacks
Were not on those who take our tax.

Upon the right, another crook,
Who has been justly brought to book;

I don't know what it was about,
But wives and kids like their day out.

And in the middle? well, who knows.
Just some poor bastard, I suppose.

He cried out to his Father true,
Who must have other things to do.

The rocks are rent, the earth's ashake;
It looks like rain, and no mistake.

Fipley Gobbetts