The deputy from Blois was being cozened, was not displaying sufficient firmness, was reprehensively lacking in decision.

Larkin characteristically undercut the idea of liberation by having the road lead to yet another version of home: "Books; china; a life/ Reprehensively perfect."

The will must indeed be weak, the spiritual vision reprehensively clouded, if these vague voices of nature could so disturb the serenity of the soul.