And if it be, are men compell’d to buy? ’Twas strange that Conscience on such points should dwell, } While he was acting (he would call it) well; } He bought as others buy, he sold as others sell: } There was no fraud, and he demanded cause Why he was troubled, when he kept the laws?” 170 “My laws?” said Conscience: “What,” said he, “are thine? Oral or written, human or divine? Show me the chapter, let me see the text; By laws uncertain subjects are perplex’d; Let me my finger on the statute lay, And I shall feel it duty to obey.” “Reflect,” said Conscience, “’twas your own desire That I should warn you--does the compact tire? Repent you this? then bid me not advise, And rather hear your passions as they rise; 180 So you may counsel and remonstrance shun, But then remember it is war begun; And you may judge from some attacks, my friend, What serious conflicts will on war attend.” “Nay, but,” at length the thoughtful man replied, “I say not that; I wish you for my guide; Wish for your checks and your reproofs--but then Be like a Conscience of my fellow-men; Worthy I mean, and men of good report, And not the wretches who with conscience sport. 190 There’s Bice, my friend, who passes off his grease Of pigs for bears’, in pots a crown apiece; His Conscience never checks him when he swears The fat he sells is honest fat of bears; And so it is, for he contrives to give A drachm to each--’tis thus that tradesmen live: Now why should you and I be over-nice; What man is held in more repute than Bice?” Here ended the dispute; but yet ’twas plain The parties both expected strife again. 200 Their friendship cool’d, he look’d about and saw Numbers who seem’d unshackled by his awe; While like a school-boy he was threaten’d still, Now for the deed, now only for the will; Here Conscience answer’d, “To thy neighbour’s guide Thy neighbour leave, and in thine own confide.” Such were each day the charges and replies, When a new object caught the trader’s eyes; A vestry-patriot, could he gain the name, Would famous make him, and would pay the fame. 210 He knew full well the sums bequeath’d in charge For schools, for alms-men, for the poor, were large; Report had told, and he could feel it true, That most unfairly dealt the trusted few; No partners would they in their office take, Nor clear accounts at annual meetings make; Aloud our hero in the vestry spoke Of hidden deeds, and vow’d to draw the cloak; It was the poor man’s cause, and he for one Was quite determined to see justice done. 220 His foes affected laughter, then disdain, } They too were loud and threat’ning, but in vain; }