And, if on hints of mercy they should go,
He stood committed—it must not be so. 240
In this dilemma either horn was hard—
Best to seem careless, then, and off one’s guard;
And, lest their terror should their flight prevent,
His wife might argue—fathers will relent
On such occasions—and that she should share
The guilt and censure was her proper care.
“Suppose them wed,” said he, “and at my feet,
I must exclaim that instant—‘Vile deceit!’