28.10.2007, 12:05
PUBLIC OPINION.
IF Conscience be the regent of man's soul,
Whose thoughts and wills are but her ministers,
Needs must she disallow the enforced control
Of thoughts she thinks not, and of wills not hers.
This Soul-made Conscience is a Queen whose cold
Strict sceptre rules her hidden realm, alone ;
That Crowd-made Conscience is a harlot bold
That, owned by many, yet is no man's own ;
This Conscience is responsible for one ;
That Conscience irresponsible for any ;
Wrong done by all men is the deed of none ;
That 's no man's virtue which is made by many :
Since, therefore, God no Corporate Soul hath made,
How shall this Corporate Conscience be obeyed ?
IF Conscience be the regent of man's soul,
Whose thoughts and wills are but her ministers,
Needs must she disallow the enforced control
Of thoughts she thinks not, and of wills not hers.
This Soul-made Conscience is a Queen whose cold
Strict sceptre rules her hidden realm, alone ;
That Crowd-made Conscience is a harlot bold
That, owned by many, yet is no man's own ;
This Conscience is responsible for one ;
That Conscience irresponsible for any ;
Wrong done by all men is the deed of none ;
That 's no man's virtue which is made by many :
Since, therefore, God no Corporate Soul hath made,
How shall this Corporate Conscience be obeyed ?