Now conscience wakes despair
That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory
Of what he was, what is, and read more

Now conscience wakes despair
That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory
Of what he was, what is, and what must be
Worse; of worse deeds worse sufferings must ensue!

But at sixteen the conscience rarely gnaws
So much, as when we call our old debts in
read more

But at sixteen the conscience rarely gnaws
So much, as when we call our old debts in
At sixty years, and draw the accounts of evil,
And find a deuced balance with the devil.

Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend,
Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend;
But if he read more

Oh, Conscience! Conscience! man's most faithful friend,
Him canst thou comfort, ease, relieve, defend;
But if he will thy friendly checks forego,
Thou art, oh! woe for me, his deadliest foe!

O faithful conscience, delicately pure, how doth a little failing
wound thee sore!
[It., O dignitosa coscienza e read more

O faithful conscience, delicately pure, how doth a little failing
wound thee sore!
[It., O dignitosa coscienza e netta,
Come t' e picciol fallo amaro morso.]

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be
looking.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be
looking.

Conscience--the only incorruptible thing about us.

Conscience--the only incorruptible thing about us.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Nothing makes one so vain as being told one is a sinner. Conscience makes egotists of us all.

Whom conscience, ne'er asleep,
Wounds with incessant strokes, not loud, but deep.

Whom conscience, ne'er asleep,
Wounds with incessant strokes, not loud, but deep.

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.]