A Question of Mercy

What shall we do to the wrongdoers made
Present in our sight? How wrongly they bade
Us come at night, to take part in revels
That clearly fight the good. O such devils;
Would it not be better that such beings
Be put to death by letter law? Ring
Them in by the light of day lest they draw
From you a bitter fear, as night's own maw
Is want to do, a sitter of hatred
That watches over the pups until dawn
Comes over the ridge with a gentle yawn;
Then does night grow hungry with such a dread.
What then stand between us and the dread law
That would end at day the night scarecrows caw?

                          A Question of Mercy, (c) Luke Bennette, May 2012