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Rh

It were in vain, To reason with a crowd so obstinate And mischievous in their intentions—stand aside And I will strive to lead them to adopt A better ordeal. My good friends restrain This violence; there is no need to drag Yon wretched creature to the river's brink— You have a surer test within your reach. You all have Bibles? In a Christian land 'Twere sin to doubt it. Place within the scales The sacred volume of the Scriptures, and However small, however light it be, Nay should one leaf alone remain, 'twill sink Like lead to earth while the convicted witch Shall fly above the beam: but should the book Be lightest in the scale, then be assured That you have wronged this woman—who shall say That she is guilty if this holy book By Heaven inspired and most infallible, Proclaim her innocent?