I swore my Lord! but my unworthy oath,
Was a base sacrilege, which cannot bind,
Since God alone, directs and governs both,
The quality of his works — the human mind.
Reason I hold from Him — Who would not loathe
Such gift a pledge in power's vile hands to find?
Do not forget my Lord, that even the sway
Of sovereign Kings has bounds at which it ends;
Past them, they rule not — nor should we obey,
He who to any mortal being bends
One step beyond, sins 'gainst the light of day:
Thus then, my soul her servile shackles rends!
And my sound mind shall henceforth none obey
But Him whose reign o'er Kings and worlds extends!