A paraphrase on the Book of Job As likewise on the Songs of Moses, Deborah, David: On Four Select Psalms: Some Chapters of Isaiah, and the Third Chapter of Habakkuk. By Sir Richard Blackmore |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
Ch. XXXII.
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| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
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| LIII. |
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Ch. XXXII.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job |  |
Ch. XXXII.
When the three Men who pious Job arraign'd,
And their high Charge in long replys maintain'd,
Perceiv'd him firmly fixt in his Defence,
And resolute to clear his Innocence;
They hopeless of Success from this debate,
Let fall the Argument, and silent sate.
Then a young Man, who as a faithful Friend,
When the three Sages came, did Job attend,
And who attention gave, and duly weigh'd
What for their Cause on either side was said,
Only in years inferiour to the rest,
Felt a just Anger kindled in his Breast.
His Name was Elihu, in Blood ally'd
To faithful Abram by the Brother's side.
Against good Job did his Displeasure rise,
Because in all his long and sharp replies
He had less warmth, and less Concernment shown
For his great Maker's Honour, than his own:
Nor did the wise young Man less Passion feel
Against the rash, uncharitable Zeal
Of Job's Accusers, who could not defend
Their groundless Charge against their suff'ring Friend.
Yet did he long discreetly moderate
His struggling Passion, and attentive wait
Till the grave Men had finish'd their Debate.
But when he saw they had their Treasures spent,
And none resum'd their baffl'd Argument;
Unable to forbear, he Silence broke,
And Job's severe Accusers thus bespoke.
And their high Charge in long replys maintain'd,
Perceiv'd him firmly fixt in his Defence,
And resolute to clear his Innocence;
They hopeless of Success from this debate,
Let fall the Argument, and silent sate.
Then a young Man, who as a faithful Friend,
When the three Sages came, did Job attend,
136
What for their Cause on either side was said,
Only in years inferiour to the rest,
Felt a just Anger kindled in his Breast.
His Name was Elihu, in Blood ally'd
To faithful Abram by the Brother's side.
Against good Job did his Displeasure rise,
Because in all his long and sharp replies
He had less warmth, and less Concernment shown
For his great Maker's Honour, than his own:
Nor did the wise young Man less Passion feel
Against the rash, uncharitable Zeal
Of Job's Accusers, who could not defend
Their groundless Charge against their suff'ring Friend.
Yet did he long discreetly moderate
His struggling Passion, and attentive wait
Till the grave Men had finish'd their Debate.
But when he saw they had their Treasures spent,
And none resum'd their baffl'd Argument;
Unable to forbear, he Silence broke,
And Job's severe Accusers thus bespoke.
Your Wisdom which profoundly I rever'd,
From giving my Opinion me deterr'd.
Aw'd by your Fame, and Age, and Eloquence,
I never yet have interpos'd my Sence.
For one so young, I judg'd it rather meet
To sit a modest Learner at the Feet
Of Men of such Experience, than to rise
To dictate to the Grave, and teach the Wise.
But now, convinc'd of my Mistake, I find
That Man, tho' grey with years, continues blind,
Unless Celestial Light irradiates his Mind.
Wisdom Divine is ne'er to be acquir'd,
Unless the Man be from above inspir'd.
'Tis not the sure possession of the Great,
Nor does it still adorn the Teacher's Seat.
Many are in acquiring Knowledge slow,
Nor by experience will they Wiser grow.
Therefore Attention give, and I'll declare
What in this great Affair, my Notions are.
Let none condemn me, that I speak at last,
I've interrupted no Discourses past.
Your Arguments I've weigh'd, which you pretend,
Prove your Indictment brought against your Friend.
But after all, if I may freely speak,
To gain your Cause, your Reasons are too weak.
You never could in this prolix Dispute,
Make good your Charge, or Job's Defence confute.
In vain you say, that you will silent stand,
And leave him wholly to th' Allmighty's Hand;
Hoping his Terrors will your Friend subdue,
Which your weak Arguments can never do.
Weapons so feeble I disdain to weild,
When to dispute with Job I take the Field.
To me he ne'er did his Discourse direct,
Nor will I use your Words his Error to correct.
To all around I justly may complain,
That for Instruction I have staid in vain.
You are exhausted, and confounded left,
Silent you stand, as if of Speech bereft.
Therefore, as I have told you, I will give
My Judgment, and this great Debate revive.
While I my Lips by Violence restrain,
My fullness gives unsufferable Pain.
My struggling Thoughts which in my Bosom pent,
Like new press'd Wines within the Vate, ferment,
Will make me burst, unless they find a Vent.
To ease my self I am compell'd to speak,
Full, working Vessels, if not open'd, break.
While I attempt your Errors to correct,
I will not Persons, but the Cause respect.
Quite uninstructed in the Flatterer's ways,
I cannot sooth you with excessive Praise.
I cannot fawn, and your Admirer seem,
To gain your Approbation and Esteem.
Should I such vile unworthy Arts employ,
Me my Creator would in Wrath destroy.
From giving my Opinion me deterr'd.
Aw'd by your Fame, and Age, and Eloquence,
I never yet have interpos'd my Sence.
For one so young, I judg'd it rather meet
To sit a modest Learner at the Feet
Of Men of such Experience, than to rise
To dictate to the Grave, and teach the Wise.
137
That Man, tho' grey with years, continues blind,
Unless Celestial Light irradiates his Mind.
Wisdom Divine is ne'er to be acquir'd,
Unless the Man be from above inspir'd.
'Tis not the sure possession of the Great,
Nor does it still adorn the Teacher's Seat.
Many are in acquiring Knowledge slow,
Nor by experience will they Wiser grow.
Therefore Attention give, and I'll declare
What in this great Affair, my Notions are.
Let none condemn me, that I speak at last,
I've interrupted no Discourses past.
Your Arguments I've weigh'd, which you pretend,
Prove your Indictment brought against your Friend.
But after all, if I may freely speak,
To gain your Cause, your Reasons are too weak.
You never could in this prolix Dispute,
Make good your Charge, or Job's Defence confute.
In vain you say, that you will silent stand,
And leave him wholly to th' Allmighty's Hand;
Hoping his Terrors will your Friend subdue,
Which your weak Arguments can never do.
Weapons so feeble I disdain to weild,
When to dispute with Job I take the Field.
To me he ne'er did his Discourse direct,
Nor will I use your Words his Error to correct.
To all around I justly may complain,
That for Instruction I have staid in vain.
138
Silent you stand, as if of Speech bereft.
Therefore, as I have told you, I will give
My Judgment, and this great Debate revive.
While I my Lips by Violence restrain,
My fullness gives unsufferable Pain.
My struggling Thoughts which in my Bosom pent,
Like new press'd Wines within the Vate, ferment,
Will make me burst, unless they find a Vent.
To ease my self I am compell'd to speak,
Full, working Vessels, if not open'd, break.
While I attempt your Errors to correct,
I will not Persons, but the Cause respect.
Quite uninstructed in the Flatterer's ways,
I cannot sooth you with excessive Praise.
I cannot fawn, and your Admirer seem,
To gain your Approbation and Esteem.
Should I such vile unworthy Arts employ,
Me my Creator would in Wrath destroy.
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Ch. XXXII.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job | |