1784
remorse: a fragment
of all the numerous ills that hurt our peace,
that press the soul, or wring the mind with anguish
beyondparison 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, “blame thy foolish self!”
or worser far, the pangs of keen remorse,
the torturing, gnawing consciousness of guilt—