'Tis good for thee, O man, that thou
Down to thy knees be thrust;
Yet better is the lower bow,
Down to the very dust.

That therefore thy assuming mind,
Be levell'd to the ground,
Some farther questions are design'd,
Thy boasted skill to sound.

Oft didst thou wish to plead with me,
Prepare then for the task,
If courage yet remain with thee
To answer what I ask.

Thou didst with confidence too bold
Thy spotless virtue boast;
And yet my care and kindness hold,
As quite extinct and lost.

But since my care does ev'n respect
My lowest creatures clan,
How canst thou judge that I neglect
My nobler creature, Man!

Will thou my judgment thus defame,
That thou may'st righteous be?
Canst thou thy innocence proclaim,
Without reproaching me?

Must my proceedings be controll'd,
Thy character to clear?
My deep decrees be disannull'd,
Thy name and fame to rear?

Vain man, wilt thou so slanderous
Thy righteous God indite?
Dost thou thy kind Redeemer thus
Ungratefully requite?