These arguments thus urg'd, the zealous youth
Proceeds, and said: " Art thou inform'd by truth,
That dar'st prefer thine own integrity,
As if more just than He Who sits on high?
And say: " O I am innocent in vain,
Have to no end preserv'd my life from stain."
Now give me leave to answer thee and those
Who God's all-guiding Providence oppose.
O, Job from heav'n to earth erect thine eyes
Behold the vast extension of the skies,
The sailing clouds by exhalations fed,
How far are these advanc'd above thy head?
Can thy accumulated vices reach
Yet higher, and His happiness impeach?
What can thy righteousness to Him bequeath?
Can God a benefit from man receive?
Although thy sin a mortal may destroy,
Thy justice succour, and confirm his joy.
Those whom too-pow'rful insolence oppress,
Weep out their eyes, and howl in their distress:
None cry: " Where is my God! Who all our wrongs
Will vindicate, and turn our sighs to songs;
Ennobles with an intellectual soul,
More rational than beast, more wise than fowl."
None shall the others' sufferings regard;
The ears of pity by their vices barr'd.
For God will not relieve th' unpenitent,
Nor to the pray'rs of wicked souls consent:
Much less to his, who says: " I never more
Shall see His face, not He my joys restore."
Let no such desp'rate thoughts thy soul infect,
But calmly suffer, and His grace expect.
In both to blame: though thou His wrath incense,
Thy punishment is less than thy offence.
Judge you how indiscreetly Job complains,
And by extolling, his own justice stains. "