The Convict's Farewell: with Advice to Criminals, before and after Trial

In this poignant verse narrative, a condemned convict prepares to leave England forever, addressing a beloved wife and the children he may never see again. From his lonely cell, he remembers a once-peaceful home and imagines his family’s grief, while the approaching transport and the prospect of forced labor abroad weigh heavily on him.

His confession traces his downfall to drunkenness, gambling, neglect of honest work, and damaging relationships. Alongside his sorrow, he offers stern advice to young men, parents, magistrates, publicans, and anyone tempted by vice, urging them to avoid bad company, dishonesty, and habits that can lead from small errors to serious crime. Religious faith, family duty, education, and repentance shape his reflections, giving the poem both a personal and moral voice.

Written in direct, emotionally charged language, the work provides a vivid glimpse of nineteenth-century fears surrounding trial, punishment, transportation, and separation. It will appeal to listeners interested in historical verse, criminal justice, and firsthand-sounding reflections on regret and reform.