On no resource could Fulham now rely, Expedients fail'd that brought relief before, Give what he would, to him the comfort came no more: Not prayer avail'd, and when (his crimes confess'd) He felt some ease- —she said—“ Are they redress'd? "You still retain the profit, and be sure, 66 Long as it lasts, this anguish shall endure.” Fulham still tried to soothe her, cheat, mislead; But Conscience laid her finger on the deed, And read the crime with power, and all that must succeed: He tried t' expel her, but was sure to find Now desperate grown, weak, harass'd, and afraid, From new allies he sought for doubtful aid; To thought itself he strove to bid adieu, And from devotions to diversions flew ; He took a poor domestic for a slave, (Though avarice grieved to see the price he gave); Upon his board, once frugal, press'd a load Of viands rich, the appetite to goad; The long-protracted meal, the sparkling cup, Fought with his gloom, and kept his courage up: Soon as the morning came, there met his eyes Accounts of wealth, that he might reading rise; To profit then he gave some active hours, Till food and wine again should renovate his powers: The watchful Foe her close attention paid; Would some chance act awake the slumbering fear, But they to thought, and thought to sufferings lead. Such was his life- -no other changes came, The hurrying day, the conscious night the same; The night of horror-when he starting cried, To the poor startled sinner at his side: "Is it in law? am I condemn'd to die? "Let me escape!—I'll give-oh! let me fly"How! but a dream-no judges! dungeon! chain! "Or these grim men!-I will not sleep again. "Wilt thou, dread being! thus thy promise keep? Day is thy time-and wilt thou murder sleep? "Sorrow and want repose, and wilt thou come, "Nor give one hour of pure untroubled gloom? "Oh! Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend, "Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend; "But if he will thy friendly checks forego, "Thou art, oh! wo for me, his deadliest foe!" (1) (1) ["Conscienza l'assicura, La buona compagna che l'uom francheggia -DANTE. "He that has light within his own clear breast, TALE XV. ADVICE; OR, THE 'SQUIRE AND THE PRIEST. His hours fill'd up with riots, banquets, sports Any retirement, any sequestration. — Henry V. I will converse with iron-witted fools, With unrespective boys; none are for me, Who look into me with considerate eyes. — Richard III. You cram these words into mine ears, against The stomach of my sense. - - Tempest. |