Last words of Thomas Carlyle - Warburg Institute

72 WOTTON EEINFKEDit for a moment ; would you feel no twinge, no compunctiousvisiting ? Nay, if I offered that you shouldto all eternity be filled and satisfied with pleasure, oncondition that you became a villain and a fool, supposingeven that I took your conscience from you,and no trace of repentance or remembrance were everto afflict you again, would you strike the bargainwithout scruple ? Would you plunge into the sceneas into your native element ? Would you hasten toit as to the bosom of a mother? Would there beno whisper of gainsaymg ? ''Perhaps some whisper ; but*That little whisper saves us ' cried Maurice.'It was the voice of your better genius ! ' criedDalbrook.*Perhaps only of my vanity,' said Williams.* Imight not like to be degraded.'*The voice at least of something which was notlove of pleasure; something which the philosopherand I reckon higher, and which you yourself mustadmit to be different,' said Maurice.'*good!Heavens cried Dalbrook.* Quousquevenimus ? Does it require proof that there is somethingbetter in man than self-interest, however prudentand clear-sighted ; that the divine law of virtueis not a drudge's bargain, and her beauty and omnipotentmajebty an " association," a shadow, thefable of a nurse ? Prodicus ! Was thy *' Choiceof Hercules " written to shame us ; that after twenty'