DUBIUS is such a scrupulous good man—

Yes, you may catch him tripping, if you can.

He would not with a peremptory tone

Assert the nose upon his face his own;

With hesitation admirably slow,

He humbly hopes—presumes—it may be so.

His evidence, if he were called by law

To swear to some enormity he saw,

For want of prominence and just belief,

Would hang an honest man and save a thief.

Through constant dread of giving truth offence,

He ties up all his hearers in suspense;

Knows what he knows as if he knew it not;

What he remembers, seems to have forgot;

His sole opinion, whatsoe’er befall,

Centring at last in having none at all.