University of Virginia Library

Chap. 31.

I with my Eyes a Covenant made, that they
Should not my Soule, nor she their lights betray
To the deceit of sin: why then should I
Behold a Virgin with a burning eye?
What Judgements are reserv'd, what Vengeance due
To those, who their intemperate Lusts pursue!
Destruction and eternall Ruine shall
From Heaven, like lightning, on the wicked fall.
Do not his searching Eyes my wayes behold?
Are not my steps by him observ'd and told?
If tempting Sinne could ever yet entice
My feet to wander in the Quest of Vice:
Let that great Arbiter of Wrong and Right:
Waigh in his Scales; and cast me if to light.
If I from vertues path have stept awry;
Or let my heart be govern'd by mine eye:
If I, oh Justice, have thy Rites profan'd;
If bribes or guiltlesse blood my hands have stain'd:
Then let another reape what I have sowne;
Nor let my Race be to the Living knowne.
If ever woman could to sinne allure;
If I have waited at my Neighbours doore:
Let my laicivious wife with others grin'd;
And by her lust repay my guilt in kind.
This were a hainous crime; so foule a fact,
As would due vengeance from the Judge exact:
A wasting fire, which violently burnes;
And all to povertie and ruine turnes.
If I by Power my Servants should oppresse;
Nor would their crying Grievances redresse:
What should I doe, or say, when God shall come
To judge the world, that might divert his Doome?
Both made he in the wombe, of equall worth:
Though to unequall Destiny brought forth.
If from the poore I did their hopes detaine;
Or made the widowes Eyes expect in vaine:
If I alone have at my Table fed;
Or from the fatherlesse withheld my bread:
Nor fosterd from my youth, their wants supplide;
To him a father, and to her a guide:
If I have seene the naked starve for cold;
While Avarice my Charitie controld:
If their cloth'd Loines have not my bounty blest;
Warme with the fleeces which my flocks divest:
If I my armes have rais'd to crush the weake;
The Judge prepar'd, the witnesse taught to speake:
Be all their ligaments at once unbound;
And their disjoynted bones to powder grownd.
Divine Revenge my Soule from sinne deterr'd:
For I the anger of th'Almighty fear'd.
I never Idolized Gold embrac'd:
Nor said; In thee my Confidence is plac'd.
Nor on decitfull Riches fixt my heart;
Together scrap'd by no omitted Art.
If when I saw the early Sunne ascend,
Or the new Moone her silver hornes extend;
I bowing kist my hand, those Lights ador'd
As Deities, and their releife implor'd.
The Sinne had beene flagitious; and had cry'd
To him for vengeance whom my Deed's defi'd.
Have I with joy beheld my ruin'd foe?
Have I exulted in his overthrow?
Or in the tempest of my passion burst
Into offences, and his Issue curst?
Though my Domesticks said; oh let us teare
His hated flesh, nor after death forbeare.
Who made the Stones their bed, or sigh'd for food,
If knowne? my house to strangers open stood.
Suppose I were corrupt, and foule within:
Yet to what end should I disguise my Sinne?
Need I so much contempt or censure dread;
As not to speake my thoughts, or hide my head?
Where shall I meet with an indifferent Eare?
Oh that the Soveraigne Judge my Cause would heare,
Peruse the Adversaries evidence;
Try, and determine, my suppos'd offence!
I on my shoulders their complaints would beare:
And as a Diadem their Slanders weare.
More like a Prince then a Delinquent, would
Approach his presence; and my life unfold.
If the usurped Fields against me cry;
Their ravisht Furrowes weepe: if ever I
Have forced from them their unpaid for Graine;
Their Husbandmen, and ancient Owners slaine:
For wheat, let thistles from their clods ascend;
For barley, cockle. Iobs complaints here end.