And, should they now be guilty of the act,
Am not I free from knowledge of the fact? 230
Will they not, if they will?”—’Tis thus we meet
The check of conscience, and our guide defeat.
This friend, this spy, this counsellor at rest,
More pleasing views were to the mind address’d.
The mischief done, he would be much displeased,
For weeks, nay, months, and slowly be appeased—
Yet of this anger if they felt the dread,
Perhaps they dare not steal away to wed;