412 <br /> <br />I read my sentence—steadily— <br />Reviewed it with my eyes, <br />To see that I made no mistake <br />In its extremest clause— <br />The Date, and manner, of the shame— <br />And then the Pious Form <br />That "God have mercy" on the Soul <br />The Jury voted Him— <br />I made my soul familiar—with her extremity— <br />That at the last, it should not be a novel Agony— <br />But she, and Death, acquainted— <br />Meet tranquilly, as friends— <br />Salute, and pass, without a Hint— <br />And there, the Matter ends—<br /><br />Emily Dickinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-read-my-sentence-steadily/
