Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 34. Remorse: A Fragment |
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| OF all the numerous ills that hurt our peace, | |
| That press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish | |
| Beyond comparison the worst are those | |
| By our own folly, or our guilt brought on: | |
| In ev’ry other circumstance, the mind | 5 |
| Has this to say, “It was no deed of mine:” | |
| But, when to all the evil of misfortune | |
| This sting is added, “Blame thy foolish self!” | |
| Or worser far, the pangs of keen remorse, | |
| The torturing, gnawing consciousness of guilt— | 10 |
| Of guilt, perhaps, when we’ve involvèd others, | |
| The young, the innocent, who fondly lov’d us; | |
| Nay more, that very love their cause of ruin! | |
| O burning hell! in all thy store of torments | |
| There’s not a keener lash! | 15 |
| Lives there a man so firm, who, while his heart | |
| Feels all the bitter horrors of his crime, | |
| Can reason down its agonizing throbs; | |
| And, after proper purpose of amendment, | |
| Can firmly force his jarring thoughts to peace? | 20 |
| O happy, happy, enviable man! | |
| O glorious magnanimity of soul! | |
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