His lordship dealt with each of the charges, and the evidence in support of them, and he then, after thanking the jury for the patient manner in which they had attended to the case, left the issues in their hands.
The jury retired to consider their verdict at half past three o’clock and at half past five they returned into Court.
THE VERDICT
Amidst breathless excitement, the Foreman, in answer to the usual formal questions, announced the verdict, “Guilty.”
Sir Edward Clarke.—“I apply, my lord, for a postponement of sentence.”
The Judge.—“I must certainly refuse that request. I can only characterise the offences as the worst that have ever come under my notice. I have, however, no wish to add to the pain that must be felt by the defendants. I sentence both Wilde and Taylor to two years imprisonment with hard labour.”
The sentence was met with some cries of “shame”, “a scandalous verdict”, “unjust,” by certain persons in Court. The two prisoners appeared dazed and Wilde especially seemed ready to faint as he was hurried out of sight to the cells.
Thus perished by his own act a man who might have made a lasting mark in British Literature and secured for himself no mean place in the annals of his time.