I dared torpid hearts and cold breasts to commend,
And affection’s kind pow’r and soft joys to deride.
If you urge it I cannot refuse your request:
Though to grant it will punish severely my crime:
But my fault I repent, and my errors detest;
And I hoped to have shown my conversion in time.
Remember, our laws in their mercy decide
That no culprit be forced to give proof of his deed:
They protect him though fall’n, his failings they hide,
And enable the wretch from his crimes to receed (sic).