In heaven return'd again the appointed day,
When all the Sons of God in bright array,
Themselves presented at the eternal throne;
And Satan, too, stood there, the single One
Of aspect dark, before the Sovereign Lord,
Who deign'd once more to speak the enquiring word;
"Hither, thou evil One, whence art thou come?"
Boldly he answered, "From the earth, my home,
"Where I have still been wandering up and down,
"And to and fro, to reap my harvests sown."
Then spake the Lord,—"Hast thou considered well
"My servant Job—that none on earth doth dwell
"Like him;—who still from evil doth depart,
"With upright, perfect, and God-fearing heart?
"Still his integrity he holdeth fast,
"Though thou hast smitten him with cruel blast,
"And thou didst move me causelessly, to prove
"The truth of all his faithfulness and love."
Thus Satan, dauntless, yet again replied—
"In life or limb he hath not yet been tried.
"Skin shall be given for skin,—yea, all his wealth
"A man will yield to purchase ease and health.
"Touch with disease his comeliness and grace,
"He will rebel, and curse thee to thy face."
Then said the Lord, "Behold him in thy hand;
"But that thou spare his life I thee command."
Forth from His Presence passed the evil One,
And his permitted work of ill begun.
Now smitten with a sore disease, behold
The righteous Job, in sufferings yet untold.
With wounds and ulcers all his frame o'erspread,
No part, from head to foot, from torment freed;—
With potsherds fain his skin to purify,
And lowly, and apart, in ashes lie.
Then did his wife, in bitterness of heart,
Reproach her God, and take the tempter's part.
"Still thine integrity dost thou retain?
"And all the while thou blessest God in vain,
"For still the more he smites. To life like this,
"Sure death through all eternity were bliss;
"Then let us curse him, that his vengeful power
"May end our sorrows in the self-same hour."
"Woman! thou addest grief unto my woe,
"And as the foolish speak, so speakest thou!
"Is it for worth of ours, that gracious Heaven
"These countless blessings to our lives hath given?
"Shall we receive the good His Hand hath sent,
"And thankless turn us from His chastisement?"
Thus meekly spake he, nor in this was heard
To utter rebel thought, or sinful word.
Three of his friends, when they had heard the fame
Of Job's afflictions, by appointment came,
Each from his several dwelling-place, to cheer
His weary hours, and in his mourning share.
From Teman, bordering Edom's western side,
Eliphaz came, sedate in wisdom's pride;
Bildad the Shuite, with his learning's might,
And harsh-tongued Zophar, the Naāmathite.
But when, whilst yet afar, they rais'd their eyes,
And saw him, whom they scarce could recognize,
Their voices raised they in a sore lament,
And for him wept, and each his garment rent,
And dust they sprinkled on their heads tow'rd Heaven,
And days and nights, until were number'd seven,
They with him speechless sat upon the ground,
None daring to disturb such silent grief profound.