The Prisoner In Derby Gaol (A Dialogue Poem) by Harry Riley Poem by David Page- aka Harry Riley

Preacher Josiah Dobbs to prisoner Jeremiah Brandreth:
'Do you now confess your sins and repent to the Lord thy maker? '
Brandreth:
There is another yet. A trial, never did he see. His sins far overweigh my own.
A government spy, he brought us to this pass. Yet swore he, the Luddite Oath: Never to betray us!
Dobbs:
And who would that be my son?

Brandreth:
The Country was to rise with us, and so said William Oliver.
At Pentrich we would light the path. To freedom we would march!
To late we saw his wicked plot, and lives were lost forever.'

Dobbs:
'I see your heart is filled with hate. The Devil has your shoulder.
You need to rid yourself of this, before the day grows older.'

Brandreth:
We had to march. We had no bread! The masters worked us for their slaves.
They ground us to the dirt and stole our pride. We had no more to give. No votes for men. No Parliamentary Rights. No way to earn a penny more! '

Dobbs:
You are an educated man. You had the chance to voice your tale.
Address the jury from the dock. To put your side, as man to man.
Their verdict you might change, before the spell was cast.
Before you faced the Gallows Call, and had to count this dreadful cost.'

Brandreth:
My lawyers advised against that plan. They said it should not be.'

Dobbs:
'And why would that be so? '

Brandreth:
'The case against us was not met. Not proven as in law.
We were not read the riot act. By English Law that is the fact!
It could not be High Treason.'

DOBBS:
'Yet found guilty you would be! '

Brandreth:
'never could the jury have a say. King's Men always win.
You think a vassal has a choice? He'd give away his living.
He'd throw his family in the cut, and rather slit his worthless throat
Than foil his Good Lord's bidding.
Confused by many hours of law, yet understanding nought. A guilty Verdict they returned In thirty minutes less! '

Dobbs:
' You took up arms and threatened all. A Marching Fury off to war! '

Brandreth:
'We were no army! Just a starving Workhouse Crew.
We had no military might. How could a rabble fight the men of Waterloo?
The Greatest Force the World has ever seen!

Dobbs:
' But you had weapons, swords and guns? '

Brandreth:
'Sure, a few rusty guns and homemade pikes. We never meant to fight.
Dragoons advanced upon Eastwood Village, and we despersed and fled. Scarecrow Soldiers we were called and that is what we were.
God foresaken paupers to a man. Tramping vainly through the mud.

Dobbs:
'We are all God's Children. Even the poor man you shot and killed'

Brandreth:
'At Widow Hepworth's farm, bullets rent the air. We would get recruits to
join us. Nothing more. A dreadful accident marked his death. But Robert Walters killing was not mine.'

Dobbs;
'Do you sleep at nights?

Brandreth:
' I would sleep well, my conscience clear. Yes, but Hark?
Do you not hear the hammers thud? Can you not hear it?
They are building My Gallows, and I cannot rest. it goes on all the time.'

Dobbs:
' Soon you are to leave us. Tomorrow in fact...
Is there anything you regret?

Brandreth:
'No I am better off dead! I have no more taste for this life. The food is rotten, only fit for rats, and the rancid drinking water tastes of sewer slime.'

Dobbs:
' Soon too, I must must go, but I implore you to let God's Will be done.

Brandreth:
' Their will, you mean, The Government's! '
Not God's. Not Mine. My time is soon forgotten. But my wife and family are left to struggle on.
And all the other wives of men. Who will stand up and speak for them?
Lord Byron tried and failed.

Dobbs:
' We will remember you'

Brandreth:
'No, I am best forgotten, save your pity for the hangman and the squires and Barons who support this Godless Crown.

***
Jeremiah Brandreth, (The Nottingham captain) joins Josiah Dobbs in reciting the Lords Prayer. The gaoler returns and orders Mr. Dobbs to leave.

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