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. |
Chap. I.
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| 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. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
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| LIII. |
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Chap. I.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job |  |
Chap. I.
In ancient Times, e'er Moses Wonders wrought,
And murmuring Israel back from Egypt brought,
A Prince of great Renown, and wide Command,
Whose name was Job, dwelt in Arabia's Land.
He in the Heav'nly Paths of Virtue trod,
And fear'd to Sin, because he fear'd his God.
Sev'n goodly Sons that Admiration bred,
And Three Fair Daughters crown'd his Nuptial Bed
With gracious Heav'n's peculiar Favour blest,
The prosp'rous Man unmeasur'd Wealth possest.
His Fleecy Flocks o'er all the Hills were spred,
And in his Stalls a Thousand Oxen fed.
When he decamp'd to find a new Abode,
Three Thousand Camels bore along the Road
His precious Goods, and groan'd beneath the Load.
No Lord was found thro' all the Spicy East,
Whose Herds and Stores so vastly were increast.
And murmuring Israel back from Egypt brought,
A Prince of great Renown, and wide Command,
Whose name was Job, dwelt in Arabia's Land.
He in the Heav'nly Paths of Virtue trod,
And fear'd to Sin, because he fear'd his God.
Sev'n goodly Sons that Admiration bred,
And Three Fair Daughters crown'd his Nuptial Bed
With gracious Heav'n's peculiar Favour blest,
The prosp'rous Man unmeasur'd Wealth possest.
His Fleecy Flocks o'er all the Hills were spred,
And in his Stalls a Thousand Oxen fed.
When he decamp'd to find a new Abode,
Three Thousand Camels bore along the Road
His precious Goods, and groan'd beneath the Load.
No Lord was found thro' all the Spicy East,
Whose Herds and Stores so vastly were increast.
His Sons to Feast each other did prepare
By turns, rich Liquors and delicious Fare.
And to their Treats their Sisters they invite,
To pass the flowing hours in soft delight;
While Charming Music, Dances, Sports and Play,
Gave swifter Wings to Time to fly away,
Beguil'd the Night, and hurried on the Day.
Conscious that Sin does oft such Mirth attend,
The Father fear'd his Sons might Heav'n offend.
For he with mournful Eyes had often spy'd,
Scatter'd on Pleasure's smooth, but treach'rous Tyde.
The Spoils of Virtue over-power'd by Sense,
And floating Wrecks of ruin'd Innocence.
He therefore for his Sons to Heav'n convey'd
His Supplications, and Atonement made;
And while they Feasted, he devoutly pray'd.
By turns, rich Liquors and delicious Fare.
2
To pass the flowing hours in soft delight;
While Charming Music, Dances, Sports and Play,
Gave swifter Wings to Time to fly away,
Beguil'd the Night, and hurried on the Day.
Conscious that Sin does oft such Mirth attend,
The Father fear'd his Sons might Heav'n offend.
For he with mournful Eyes had often spy'd,
Scatter'd on Pleasure's smooth, but treach'rous Tyde.
The Spoils of Virtue over-power'd by Sense,
And floating Wrecks of ruin'd Innocence.
He therefore for his Sons to Heav'n convey'd
His Supplications, and Atonement made;
And while they Feasted, he devoutly pray'd.
There was a Time when all the Sons of God
Came to th' Allmighty's bright and blest Abode,
To pay their Adoration at his Throne,
Which high on Adamantine Pillars shone.
Around in Throngs the prostrate Seraphs lay
Absorpt in Glory, and Excess of Day.
'Midst the bright Cherubs haughty Lucifer,
By marks of Guilt distinguish'd, did appear.
To whom th'Eternal thus. Apostate, whence
Com'st thou to these blest Seats of Innocence.
Came to th' Allmighty's bright and blest Abode,
To pay their Adoration at his Throne,
Which high on Adamantine Pillars shone.
Around in Throngs the prostrate Seraphs lay
Absorpt in Glory, and Excess of Day.
'Midst the bright Cherubs haughty Lucifer,
By marks of Guilt distinguish'd, did appear.
To whom th'Eternal thus. Apostate, whence
Com'st thou to these blest Seats of Innocence.
Th' Apostate said. I Lands and Seas have crost,
And past from Clime to Clime, from Coast to Coast,
Till I the Tour of yon low World had made,
And all its Empires and its States survey'd.
My Course compleated to these Seats of Light,
Mounting th' Aerial Void I wing'd my Flight.
And past from Clime to Clime, from Coast to Coast,
Till I the Tour of yon low World had made,
And all its Empires and its States survey'd.
3
Mounting th' Aerial Void I wing'd my Flight.
Th' Allmighty then demanded. In thy Way
And toilsome Course, Ambitious Spirit, say,
Hast thou observ'd good Job, my Servant, one
In Righteousness and Piety, by none
Thro' all the wide Terrestrial World out-done?
Whose perfect Virtue Admiration draws
From Men on Earth, and finds in Heav'n Applause.
And toilsome Course, Ambitious Spirit, say,
Hast thou observ'd good Job, my Servant, one
In Righteousness and Piety, by none
Thro' all the wide Terrestrial World out-done?
Whose perfect Virtue Admiration draws
From Men on Earth, and finds in Heav'n Applause.
I've long observ'd, reply'd false Lucifer,
Thy Favourite, and watch'd his Steps with Care.
Without, the Saint is in Perfection seen,
But is the Saint without, a Saint within?
He serves his God, but does he serve for nought?
Does he thy Glory, or his own promote?
Does he Religion for it's Self regard;
And Virtue Court, not Virtue's bright Reward?
Is it his Honour to Revere his God,
Who has his Smiles, but never feels his Rod?
Hast thou not crown'd the Labour of his Hand,
Increas'd his Stores, extended his Command?
He can't complain unless with Wealth opprest,
With Favours over-laden, over-blest.
Entrench'd within th' impenetrable Fence,
Within the Works and Lines of Providence,
He can defy the most impetuous Shock;
And all th' Assaults of Hostile Forces mock.
With such Abundance blest, with Honour Crown'd,
The Weakest Virtue may maintain its ground.
But let this Prosp'rous, Wealthy Saint be try'd;
Let this pretended Gold the Test abide;
Change but the Scene, and let thy Frowning Brow,
The marks of Anger and Displeasure show;
Extend thy Hand, and touch his tender Part;
Thou'lt find his Power and Substance next his Heart:
Despoil'd of these, he'll Curse thee to thy Face,
And naked Virtue will no more embrace.
Thy Favourite, and watch'd his Steps with Care.
Without, the Saint is in Perfection seen,
But is the Saint without, a Saint within?
He serves his God, but does he serve for nought?
Does he thy Glory, or his own promote?
Does he Religion for it's Self regard;
And Virtue Court, not Virtue's bright Reward?
Is it his Honour to Revere his God,
Who has his Smiles, but never feels his Rod?
Hast thou not crown'd the Labour of his Hand,
Increas'd his Stores, extended his Command?
He can't complain unless with Wealth opprest,
With Favours over-laden, over-blest.
Entrench'd within th' impenetrable Fence,
Within the Works and Lines of Providence,
He can defy the most impetuous Shock;
And all th' Assaults of Hostile Forces mock.
4
The Weakest Virtue may maintain its ground.
But let this Prosp'rous, Wealthy Saint be try'd;
Let this pretended Gold the Test abide;
Change but the Scene, and let thy Frowning Brow,
The marks of Anger and Displeasure show;
Extend thy Hand, and touch his tender Part;
Thou'lt find his Power and Substance next his Heart:
Despoil'd of these, he'll Curse thee to thy Face,
And naked Virtue will no more embrace.
Th' Eternal to th' Apostate thus reply'd,
Let him Affliction's sharpest Edge abide.
The Fence I rais'd around him I remove:
Go, let thy Malice try his Truth and Love.
Let Righteous Job thy fiery Tests endure,
But let his Person be from Pain secure.
Let him Affliction's sharpest Edge abide.
The Fence I rais'd around him I remove:
Go, let thy Malice try his Truth and Love.
Let Righteous Job thy fiery Tests endure,
But let his Person be from Pain secure.
He said. Th'Apostate from his Presence went,
And on his fierce, malicious purpose bent,
He on Arabia made a swift Descent.
And on his fierce, malicious purpose bent,
He on Arabia made a swift Descent.
Mean time it happen'd at a splendid Feast,
Job's Eldest Son in turn receiv'd the rest.
The Sisters with their Brothers Drank and Eat,
All the delightful kinds of Wine and Meat.
When at Job's House a Courier did arrive,
Sweating with Speed, Panting, and scarce alive.
Horror and Wildness in his Aspect, bred
Just Fears of dismal News, and thus he said.
Invading Robbers from Sabea, warm'd
With hopes of Booty, and with Lances arm'd,
An Inroad made; and first the Men destroy'd
Who kept thy Herds, and then the Spoil enjoy'd.
I am alone by favourable Fate
Escap'd, th' unwelcome Tydings to relate.
Job's Eldest Son in turn receiv'd the rest.
The Sisters with their Brothers Drank and Eat,
All the delightful kinds of Wine and Meat.
When at Job's House a Courier did arrive,
Sweating with Speed, Panting, and scarce alive.
Horror and Wildness in his Aspect, bred
Just Fears of dismal News, and thus he said.
5
With hopes of Booty, and with Lances arm'd,
An Inroad made; and first the Men destroy'd
Who kept thy Herds, and then the Spoil enjoy'd.
I am alone by favourable Fate
Escap'd, th' unwelcome Tydings to relate.
While he was speaking, with as swift a pace
Another came, and with as sad a Face:
And thus he said: O Job, a suddain Storm,
And lowring Clouds did all the Sky deform.
The bellowing Engines did all Nature scare,
Spouting their ruddy Vomit thro' the Air.
Tempests of Fire, like that which burns in Hell,
And blew Cascades of flaming Sulphur fell,
Dreadful to Sight, and deadly to the Smell.
The rav'ning Flames were on the Mountains pour'd,
And all thy Shepherds, with their Flocks, devour'd.
I only am escap'd, to let thee know
Thy heavy Loss, and this sad Scene of Woe.
Another came, and with as sad a Face:
And thus he said: O Job, a suddain Storm,
And lowring Clouds did all the Sky deform.
The bellowing Engines did all Nature scare,
Spouting their ruddy Vomit thro' the Air.
Tempests of Fire, like that which burns in Hell,
And blew Cascades of flaming Sulphur fell,
Dreadful to Sight, and deadly to the Smell.
The rav'ning Flames were on the Mountains pour'd,
And all thy Shepherds, with their Flocks, devour'd.
I only am escap'd, to let thee know
Thy heavy Loss, and this sad Scene of Woe.
Scarce had he ended, when another came,
His Horror was alike, his haste the same.
And thus he said: The fierce Chaldeans made
Three chosen Bands, thy Camels to invade:
Thy Servants by surprize they've overcome;
And with their Spoil they march'd in Triumph home.
His Horror was alike, his haste the same.
And thus he said: The fierce Chaldeans made
Three chosen Bands, thy Camels to invade:
Thy Servants by surprize they've overcome;
And with their Spoil they march'd in Triumph home.
Mean time another enter'd, who in Speed
And Consternation, did the rest exceed.
And thus he spake. Job, At a splendid Treat
Thy Sons and Daughters were together met,
Within their Eldest Brother's pleasant Seat:
When rising from the Salvage Wilderness,
A howling, hollow Wind, with such a Stress
Bore on the House, that the high Roof and Wall
Disjoynted crack'd, and fell; and with the Fall
Crush'd, and interr'd at once th' assembled Youth.
I only scap'd to tell so sad a Truth.
And Consternation, did the rest exceed.
6
Thy Sons and Daughters were together met,
Within their Eldest Brother's pleasant Seat:
When rising from the Salvage Wilderness,
A howling, hollow Wind, with such a Stress
Bore on the House, that the high Roof and Wall
Disjoynted crack'd, and fell; and with the Fall
Crush'd, and interr'd at once th' assembled Youth.
I only scap'd to tell so sad a Truth.
Then Job his Garment rent, and shav'd his Head,
And on the Ground adoring fell, and said:
Naked at first I left my Mother's Womb,
And shall return as Naked to my Tomb.
The Lord has giv'n, and taken back again:
Because he takes his Own, shall I complain?
Tho' now he Frowns, I'll praise th' Allmighty's Name,
And bless the Spring whence past Enjoyments came.
And on the Ground adoring fell, and said:
Naked at first I left my Mother's Womb,
And shall return as Naked to my Tomb.
The Lord has giv'n, and taken back again:
Because he takes his Own, shall I complain?
Tho' now he Frowns, I'll praise th' Allmighty's Name,
And bless the Spring whence past Enjoyments came.
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Chap. I.
A paraphrase on the Book of Job | |