O Proteous Conscience, never to be tied! What Phoebus from the Tripod shall disclose, Which are, in last resort, your friends or foes? 820 Homer, who learn'd the language of the sky, The seeming Gordian knot would soon untie; Immortal powers the term of Conscience know, But Interest is her name with men below. Conscience or Interest be 't, or both in one, The Panther answer'd in a surly tone, The first commands me to maintain the crown, The last forbids to throw my barriers down. Our penal laws no sons of yours admit, Our Test excludes your tribe from benefit. 830 These are my banks your ocean to withstand, Which, proudly rising, overlooks the land; And, once let in, with unresisted sway, Would sweep the pastors and their flocks away. Think not my judgment leads me to comply With laws unjust, but hard necessity; Imperious need, which cannot be withstood, Makes ill authentic, for a greater good. Possess your soul with patience, and attend: A more auspicious planet may ascend; 840 Good fortune may present some happier time, With means to cancel my unwilling crime; (Unwilling, witness all ye Powers above!) To mend my errors, and redeem your love: That little space you safely may allow; Your all-dispensing power protects you now. Hold, said the Hind, 'tis needless to explain; You would postpone me to another reign; Till when you are content to be unjust: Your part is to possess, and mine to trust. 850 A fair exchange proposed of future chance, For present profit and inheritance. Few words will serve to finish our dispute; Who will not now repeal, would persecute. To ripen green revenge your hopes attend, Wishing that happier planet would ascend. For shame let Conscience be your plea no more: To will hereafter, proves she might before; But she's a bawd to gain, and holds the door. Your care about your banks infers a fear 860 Of threatening floods and inundations near; If so, a just reprise would only be Of what the land usurp'd upon the sea; And all your jealousies but serve to show Your ground is, like your neighbour-nation, low. To intrench in what you grant unrighteous laws, Is to distrust the justice of your cause; And argues that the true religion lies In those weak adversaries you despise. Tyrannic force is that which least you fear; 700 The sound is frightful in a Christian's ear: Avert it, Heaven! nor let that plague be sent To us from the dispeopled continent.