Then Elihu his speech directs to those
Who in a ring the disputants enclose.
" You that are wise, " said he, " my doctrine hear,
You who have knowing souls afford an ear,
For sense is by that organ understood,
Ev'n as the taste distinguisheth of food.
By equity let us our judgments guide,
And this long controverted cause decide. "
Job cries: " I guiltless fall, to God appeal;
Yet will not He the clouded truth reveal.
Shall I with lies betray my innocence?
My wound is mortal, O, for what offence!"
Who of himself but he so vainly thinks,
Who contumacy like cold water drinks?
He is in shackles by the wicked led,
And walks the way which his associates tread.
What boots it man (says he) to take delight
In God, and live as always in His sight?
O hear me, you who high in knowledge sit:
Is it with God that He should sin commit?
No, each according to his merit shall
Receive his hire; to justice stand, or fall.
O can compassion in destruction joy;
Or will the righteous Judge the just destroy?
Shall He the world by man's direction sway,
Whom heav'n and pow'rs angelical obey?
In His disposure is the orb of earth,
The throne of kings, and all of human birth.
O, if He should the heart of man survey,
Reduce, and take the breath He gave away,
All living in a moment would expire,
And swiftly to their former dust retire. "
Then Job: " If thou hast reason, if a mind
Not partial, let my words acceptance find.
Shall he who justice hates, rule by his lust?
Or wilt thou Him condemn Who is most just?
Shall subjects tax their kings? their princes blame?
And with detraction's poisonous breath defame?
Much less upbraid His just dominion,
To Whom both lords and vassals are all one.
Who rich and poor alike regards, since they
By Him were form'd from the same lump of clay.
Pale death shall in an instant quench their light,
Whole nations ravish in the dead of night,
Sweep from the earth; the mighty in command
Shall from their thrones be snatch'd without a hand.
He all beholds with eyes that never close,
Observes their steps, and their intentions knows.
No muffling clouds, nor shades infernal, can
From His inquiry hide offending man.
Nor shall the punishment which guilt pursues
Exceed the crime, lest he should God accuse.
He shall for sins unknown the mighty break,
And to their empty thrones advance the weak;
The mysteries of night reveal to-day,
And in their falls their secret faults display;
Nor His exemplary revenge defer,
Presented on the world's great theatre;
Since they revolt from God, with open jaws
Blaspheme His justice, and despise His laws.
So that the cries of their oppressions rend
The suff'ring air, and to His ears ascend.
Who can disturb the peace which He bestows?
What tumult waken their secure repose?
What nation, or what one of mortal race,
Shall God behold, if He withdraw His face?
That hypocrites no more may tyrannise
Nor in their snares the credulous surprise.
Say thou: " I will not with my God contend,
But bear His chastisements, nor more offend.
My ignorance inform, if I have lent
An ear to vice, lest I my sins augment."
Will He with thy arbitrement comply,
Whether thou shouldst consent or shouldst deny,
His censure is the same. Shall I transgress
In not reproving? what thou know'st, profess.
And you my auditors, by God indu'd
With sacred wisdom, will I hope conclude,
That Job on justice hath aspersions flung,
And spoken indiscreetly with his tongue.
O Father, give his miseries no end,
While he shall his impiety defend.
They to their sins rebellion add, who jest
At their instructors, and with God contest. "