When you resolve to do what's right and fit,
Why should you shun being seen in doing it?
Why should you sneak, or why avoid the light,
Like conscious bats, that only fly by night?
What though the vulgar, who all sense disclaim,
That many-headed monster without brain,
Your actions through gross ignorance condemn;
You're likely in the right, when blam'd by them.
But if the action's bad, you ought to shun
Th' attempting it, for 'tis not to be done.
If good, what cause have you to dread or sly
Their false reproaches, and rude calumny?