Few were the ages since the world began,
When in the land of Uz there liv'd a man
Who serv'd with upright heart, and fear'd his God,
And in life's path with perfect footsteps trod.
Seven sons like palm trees grew, and grac'd his side,
And three fair daughters bloom'd, his joy and pride.
A thousand oxen till'd for him the plain,
Bounteous in oil, and milk, and golden grain;
Five hundred asses brows'd the scented herb,
And rear'd their young by founts none dar'd disturb.
Three thousand camels roam'd, a desert herd;
Of flocks, seven thousand cropt the grassy sward—
These, and unnumbered vassals own'd him lord;
And none like Job in that bright land was found
Equal in gifts, and thus with blessings crown'd.
Not for his own soul only, was his care;
His household train'd he with a godly fear.
And as his sons oft-times, on pleasure bent,
Went forth, each for his day of merriment,
Whene'er they turn'd them to their banquet-hall,
And their young sisters to the feast did call,
The father's heart would tremble lest His child,
Heated by wine and youthful folly wild,
Should curse his God, or lightly breathe His name;
And so, from earliest morn, the altar's flame
He fed with offerings pure; and incense, meet
Their sins to expiate, rose with perfume sweet.
Thus Job, each child upon his heart did bear,
And sanctified by sacrifice and prayer;
And still his blessings with his years increase,
And glides his life in righteousness and peace.
A day there came, when midst the sons of Heaven,
Or urg'd by hate, or by ambition driven,
The Soul of Sin appear'd—a Shape of night,
Casting its shadow o'er those Forms of light
Who gathering met before the Almighty's throne,
To learn His will, or tell of mandates done.
Then spake the Lord supreme, with awful brow;
"Amongst the holy, Satan, whence art thou?"
Answer'd the Prince of Darkness, "I am come
"From wandering up and down in restless doom,
"And to and fro, upon Thy footstool, earth,
"Whose evil hearts and cruel tempt me forth."
Again God question'd him,—"Hast thou not seen
"And mark'd a perfect man?—one who hath been
"Upright before me, faithful in my sight,
"Eschewing evil, keeping to the right,
"Ordering his footsteps with a godly fear?
"Such is my servant Job, beyond compare."
Him Satan answer'd,—"Is it all for nought
"That Job doth serve his God in deed and thought?
"Hast thou not bless'd his hands, his house, his heart?
"And hedg'd about his life in every part?
"Increas'd his substance, and enlarg'd his land,
"And led him safely with thy guardian hand?
"Touch but his wealth with ruin, and behold
"How he will curse thee for his barn and fold."
Then unto Satan spake the Lord once more:
"All that he hath is lent unto thy power,
"But see thou touch not him, e'en for one hour."
So, from the Holy Presence forth he fled,
And for the evil work his dark wing spread.
Now over Job hath lower'd another day—
His children all had gone their wonted way,
And with their eldest brother met to feast;
When lo! a messenger in eager haste,
Spake to the father thus: "The oxen plough'd,
"By them the asses fed where streamlets flow'd,
"When rush'd upon them a Sabean band,
"And slew thy servants with their ruffian brand,
"And of the death and rapine that befel,
"I only have escap'd, the tale to tell."
Whilst thus he spake, another breathless came,
And said, "There fell from heaven God's awful flame,
"And all thy flocks have perish'd in the fire,
"And all thy shepherds in that burning dire;
"And of the loss and terror that befel,
"I of the whole, alone, have liv'd to tell."
And ere this ceas'd, another swift was heard,
"Three bands Chaldean unawares appear'd;
"They fell upon thy camels, and the men
"Who guarded them they with the sword have slain;
"And of the theft and slaughter that befel,
"I only have been left the news to tell."
Then e'en before had ceas'd to speak the last,
There straight began another in like haste:
Thy sons and daughters in thy first-born's house,
"Did eat and drink, and merrily carouse,
"When came a desert blast, and smote each wall,
"Until it crashing fell, and buried all;
"And of that sore destruction, only I
"Escap'd the death and ruin, and did fly."
In silence Job arose—his mantle rent,—
Then shav'd his head, and to the ground he bent;
No murmuring word betray'd the heart that bled,
But still his God he own'd; and worshipped.
"Naked I to my mother's arms was born,
"And naked to the earth shall I return;
"The Lord hath given me all, and if His will
"Take back his gifts, I bow, and bless Him still.
Thus spake he, nor did foolish charge of blame
Escape the sinless lips which bless'd God's holy Name.