But  weep  for  the  sad  compulsion,  in  which  the  chaui  of  Providence  hath

bound  thee :
Mercy  is  not  thine  to  give  ;  wilt  thou  steal  another^s  privilege  ?
Or  send  abroad  among  thy  neighbours,  a  felon  whom  impunity  hath  liai^

denod  ?
Remember  the  Roman  fiither,  strong  in  his  stem  integrity.
And  let  not  tiiy  slothful  self-indnlgence  make  thee  a  conniver  atthecTima.
Al-^o,  if  the  knife  of  the  murderer  be  raised  against  thee  or  thJ.ie,


OF  SUBJECTION.  35.
Ai-d  through  good  Providence  and  courage,  thou  slay  liim  that  would  have

slain  thee,
Thou  losest  not  a  tittle  of  thy  rectitude,  having  executed  sudden  justice ;
Still  mayst  tho"  walk  among  the  blessed,  though  thy  hands  be  red  with

blood.
For  thyself,  thou  art  neither  worse  nor  better ;  but  thy  fellows  should

count  thee  their  creditor :
Thou  hast  manfully  protected  the  right,  and  the  right  is  stronger  for  thy

deed.
Also,  in  the  rescuing  of  innocence,  fear  not  to  smite  the  ravisher ;
What  thougH  he  die  at  thy  hand  ?  for  a  good  name  is  better  than  the  life  •
And  if  Phinjas  had  everlasting  praise  in  the  matter  of  Salu's  son.
With  how  much  greater  honour  standeth  such  a  rescuer  acquitted  ?
Uphold  the  laws  of  thy  country,  and  fear  not  to  fight  in  their  defence ;
But  first  be  convinced  in  thy  mind  :  for  herein  the  doubter  sinneth.
Above  all  things  look  thou  well  around,  if  indeed  stem  duty  forceth  thee
To  draw  the  sword  of  justice,  and  stain  it  with  the  slaughter  of  tliy  fellows

She  that  lieth  in  thy  bosom,  the  tender  wife  of  thy  affections.
Must  obey  thee,  and  be  subject,  that  evil  drop  not  on  thy  dwelling.
