It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution

It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.

These false pretexts and varnished colours failing,
Rare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear.

Without the spice of guilt, sin cannot be fully savored.

Without the spice of guilt, sin cannot be fully savored.

How guilt once harbour'd in the conscious breast,
Intimidates the brave, degrades the great.

How guilt once harbour'd in the conscious breast,
Intimidates the brave, degrades the great.

From the body of one guilty deed a thousand ghostly fears and haunting thoughts proceed.

From the body of one guilty deed a thousand ghostly fears and haunting thoughts proceed.

A land of levity is a land of guilt.

A land of levity is a land of guilt.

Let guilty men remember, their black deeds
Do lean on crutches made of slender reeds.

Let guilty men remember, their black deeds
Do lean on crutches made of slender reeds.

Sin with the multitude, and your responsibility and guilt are as great and as truly personal, as if you alone read more

Sin with the multitude, and your responsibility and guilt are as great and as truly personal, as if you alone had done the wrong

Guilt is anything you did and fear others to know about

Guilt is anything you did and fear others to know about