Hold me! don’t let them take me forth
To suffer till I die!
Pardon! pardon! came the sound,
And horsemen galloped fast,
But ’twas too late; the dying man
Was soon to breathe his last.
The crime’s confessed, the guilt made known
Quick, lead the guiltless forth.
“Then I am free! mother, your hand,
Now whisper your good-bye,