He lay on the beach, just out of the reach...

He lay on the beach, just out of the reach Of waves that had cast him by: With fingers grim they reached for him As often as they came nigh.

The shore-face brown had a surly frown, And glanced at the dancing sea, As if to say, “Take back the clay You tossed this morning at me.”

Great fragments rude, by the shipwreck strewed, Had found by this wreck a place; He had grasped them tight, and hope-strewn fright Sat still on the bloated face.

Battered and bruised, forever abused, He lay by the heartless sea, As if Heaven's aid had never been made For a villain such as he.

The fetter's mark lay heavy and dark Around the pulseless wrists; The hardened scar of many a war Clung yet to the drooping fists.

The soul's disgrace across that face Had built an iron track; The half-healed gash of the jailman's lash Helped cover the brawny back.

The blood that flowed in a crimson road From a deep wound in his head Had felt fierce pangs from the poison-fangs Of those who his young life fed:

Cursed from the very beginning With deeds that others had done, “More sinned against than sinning” — And so is every one!

He had never learned save what had turned The steps of his life amiss; He never knew a hand-grasp true, Or the thrill of a virtuous kiss.

‘ Twas poured like a flood through his young blood, And poisoned every vein, That wrong is right, that law is spite, And theft but honest gain.

The seeds were grown that had long been sown By the heart of a murderous sire: Disease and shame, and blood aflame With thirst for the founts of fire.

Battered and bruised, forever abused, He lay by the moaning sea, As if Heaven's aid were even afraid Of a villain such as he.

As he lay alone, like a sparrow prone, An angel wandered nigh: A look she cast over that dark past, And tears came to her eye.

She bent by the dead, and tenderly said: “Poor child, you went astray; Your heart and mind were both born blind — No wonder they lost their way!

Angels, I know, had fallen as low With such a dismal chance. Your heart was ironed, your soul environed, You were barred of all advance!

Cursed from the very beginning With deeds that others have done, ‘ More sinned against than sinning’ — And so is every one!”