252. To His Conscience
Can I not sin, but thou wilt beMy private protonotary?Can I not woo thee, to pass byA short and sweet iniquity?I’ll cast a mist and cloud uponMy delicate transgression,So utter dark, as that no eyeShall see the hugg’d impiety.Gifts blind the wise, and bribes do pleaseAnd wind all other witnesses;And wilt not thou with gold be tied,To lay thy pen and ink aside,That in the mirk and tongueless night,Wanton I may, and thou not write?—It will not be: And therefore, now,For times to come, I’ll make this vow;From aberrations to live free:So I’ll not fear the judge, or thee.