Conscience and Remorse

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

“Good-bye,” I said to my conscience–

“Good-bye for aye and aye,”

And I put her hands off harshly,

And turned my face away;

And conscience smitten sorely

Returned not from that day.

But a time came when my spirit

Grew weary of its pace;

And I cried: “Come back, my conscience;

I long to see thy face.”

But conscience cried; “I cannot;

Remorse sits in my place.”