The Lord and the Judge

The God of heaven stood up, and loudly
Thus to the gods of earth he spoke:
“How long shall folly triumph proudly,
And virtue wear its heavy yoke?

’Tis yours, however high the wronger,
The wrongs of misery to redress;
Defend the weaker from the stronger,
Widow and orphan shield and bless.

To guard the naked head of sorrow,
To make the path of wisdom light;
To free the prisoner; and to borrow
My attributes for truth and right.”

They will not hear, see, know--O never;
Dark mists are on their vision thrown.
And shall the sick earth groan for ever?
Wilt Thou not tire, long-suffering one?

Kings! gods of earth! no earthly being
May bid you at his bar appear;
Yet there is One all-knowing--seeing--
Who sits in sternest judgement there.

Proud as ye are, your gems imperial
Shall fall like leaves:--your kingdoms--graves;
Your martial pomp--a pall funereal;
Your throne--looked down on by your slaves.

God of the righteous! God, arise Thee!
Hear the faint prayers Thy children bring!
Judge, scatter all who dare despise Thee,
And be the earth’s unrivalled King!