A wretch his dreadful sentence hears,

  In Martial Court, where worse than Death

    The Military Culprit fears.

  And when encircled by the band,

    Lingering torments, public shame,

  Severity's most ruthless hand

    Lacerates his manly frame:

  When many a hardy Soldier weeps,

    And grieves that he's compell'd to stay;

  Who perforce his station keeps,

    Or would soon be far away;

  Yet see beyond the circling guard,

    Idle gazers flocking round,

  To see and hear are pressing hard,

    As if the spot were fairy ground.

  What is it that a charm imparts?

    Why do they press to hear and see?

  Can it be that human hearts

    Delight in human misery?

  When the inexorable hour

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