"Shimei"-- Saul interrupted Shimei again, Surprised into expression by the shock To hear himself mixed up in any way, Of indirection even, in fraud like this-- "Shimei, I thought that nothing you could say Would further tempt me into speech to you; But you have broken my bond of self-restraint. Suborning perjury! That well accords With what you slanted at in council once, And what I trusted I had then and there Made clear my scorn of. Shimei, hear--I set My heel upon this thing and once for all Grind it into the dust." "In figure, of course," Promptly leered Shimei, interrupting Saul; "The thing goes forward just the same; you set It under foot--in your rhetorical way; I, in my practical way, set it on foot; No mutual interference, each well pleased. "But, seriously, Saul, you overwork The idea of conscience. What is conscience? Mere Self-will assuming virtuous airs. A term Cajoles you into making it a point Of moral obligation to be stiff. Limber up, Saul, and be adjustable. Capacity of taking several points Of view at will is good. For instance, now, Probably Stephen may, at various times, Himself have stated quite explicitly What your rhetorical logic showed to be Inextricably held as inference In his harangues. Take it so, Saul, if so Render your conscience easier; I myself Highly enjoy my easy conscience. Still, Nothing could be more natural than that some, Hearers non-critical, you know, should mix What you said with what Stephen said, and so Quite honestly swear falsely--to the gain Of truth. And to whose loss? Stephen's, perhaps, But other's, none. So, salve your conscience, Saul-- Which somehow you must learn, and soon, to do; Unless you mean to play obstructionist, Instead of coadjutor, in the work You, with good motive, but with scurvy luck, Set about doing late so lustily. Conscience itself is to be sacrificed, At need, to serve the cause of righteousness. What is it but egregious egotism To obtrude, forsooth, a point of conscience, when You jeopard general interests thereby? One's conscience is a private matter; let Your conscience wince a little, if need be, In order that the public good be served. That is true generosity. 'Let us Be just,' said Nicodemus; good, say I, But in this matter of our consciences, Let us go further and be generous."