Page:Hudibras - Volume 1 (Butler, Nash, Bohn; 1859).djvu/271

CANTO II.] Or whether 't be a lesser sin To be forsworn, than act the thing, Are deep and subtle points, which must, T' inform my conscience, be discust; In which to err a tittle may To errors infinite make way: And therefore I desire to know Thy judgment, ere we further go. Quoth Ralpho, Since you do injoin't, I shall enlarge upon the point; And, for my own part, do not doubt Th' affirmative may be made out. But first, to state the case aright, For best advantage of our light; And thus 'tis, whether 't be a sin, To claw and curry our own skin, Greater or less than to forbear. And that you are forsworn forswear. But first, o' th' first: The inward man, And outward, like a clan and clan. Have always been at daggers-drawing, And one another clapper-clawing: Not that they really cuff or fence. But in a spiritual mystic sense; Which to mistake, and make them squabble, In literal fray's abominable; 'Tis heathenish, in frequent use, With Pagans and apostate Jews, To offer sacrifice of bridewells, Like modern Indians to their idols;