You did so far give sanction to our flight,

Confirm its purpose, as lend helping hand,

Deliver up Pompilia not to him

She fled, but those the flight was ventured for.

Why then could you, who stopped short, not go on

One poor step more, and justify the means,

Having allowed the end?—not see and say,

"Here 's the exceptional conduct that should claim

To be exceptionally judged on rules

Which, understood, make no exception here"—