Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When read more

Nor do we find him forward to be sounded,
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When we would bring him on to some confession
Of his true state.

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.

There are things to confess that enrich the world, and things that need not be said.

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff--it is a read more

Confession is good for the soul only in the sense that a tweed coat is good for dandruff--it is a palliative rather than a remedy.

Deep in my heart I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling - frightened read more

Deep in my heart I'm concealing things that I'm longing to say. Scared to confess what I'm feeling - frightened you'll slip away.

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution.

Teach thy tongue to say I do not know and thou shalt progress.

Teach thy tongue to say I do not know and thou shalt progress.

There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession

There is no refuge from confession but suicide; and suicide is confession

Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.

Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.

Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
For to deny each article with oath
Cannot remove nor read more

Therefore confess thee freely of thy sin;
For to deny each article with oath
Cannot remove nor choke the strong conception
That I do groan withal. Thou art to die.