The Past lives o'er again,
In its effects, and to the guilty spirit
The ever-frowning Present is read more

The Past lives o'er again,
In its effects, and to the guilty spirit
The ever-frowning Present is its image.

So may heaven's grace clear away the foam from the conscience,
that the river of thy thoughts may roll read more

So may heaven's grace clear away the foam from the conscience,
that the river of thy thoughts may roll limpid thenceforth,
[It., Se toso grazia risolva le schiume
Di vostra conscienza, si che chiaro
Per essa scenda della mente il fiume.]

Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

Guilty consciences always make people cowards.

A heart needs only its own voice to do what is right.

A heart needs only its own voice to do what is right.

Oh! think what anxious moments pass between
The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods,
Oh! read more

Oh! think what anxious moments pass between
The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods,
Oh! 'tis a dreadful interval of time,
Filled up with horror all, and big with death!

They have cheveril consciences that will stretch.

They have cheveril consciences that will stretch.

O Conscience, into what abyss of fears
And horrors hast thou driven me, out of which
I read more

O Conscience, into what abyss of fears
And horrors hast thou driven me, out of which
I find no way, from deep to deeper plunged.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

Reason often makes mistakes, but conscience never does.

Yet still there whispers the small voice within,
Heard through Gain's silence, and o'er Glory's din;
Whatever read more

Yet still there whispers the small voice within,
Heard through Gain's silence, and o'er Glory's din;
Whatever creed be taught or land be trod,
Man's conscience is the oracle of God.