1784

remorse: a fragment

of all the numerous ills that hurt our peace,

that press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish

beyond parison the worst are those

by our own folly, or our guilt brought on:

in ev'ry other circumstance, the mind

has this to say, “it was no deed of mine:”

but, when to all the evil of misfortune

this sting is added, “me thy foolish self!”

or worser far, the pangs of keen remorse,

the torturing, gnawing consciousness of guilt—

of guilt, perhaps, when we've involved others,