To the poor startled sinner at his side,

“Is it in law? am I condemned 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,