But yet whose interest to his desk confined
That sober Clerk of indecisive mind?
F. John served his master, with himself at strife, 240
For he with Conscience lived like man and wife;
Now jarring, now at peace,—the life they led
Was all contention, both at board and bed:
His meals were troubled by his scruples all,
And in his dreams he was about to fall
Into some strong temptation—for it seems
He never could resist it in his dreams.