Classic Poem

Thus answer'd the incensed Naamathite:
" I had been silent, but thy words excite
My struggling thoughts to vindicate the wrong
Cast on our zeal by thy reproachful tongue.
This is a truth which with the world began,
Since earth was first inhabited by man,
Sin's triumph in swift misery concludes,
And flatt'ring joy the hypocrite deludes.
Although his excellence to heav'n aspire,
Though radiant beams his shining brows attire,
He, as his dung, shall perish on the ground,
Nor shall th' impression of his steps be found,
But like a troubled dream shall take his flight,
And vanish as a vision of the night.
No mortal eye shall see his face again,
Nor sumptuous roofs their builder entertain.
If he have children, they shall serve the poor,
And goods by rapine got, enforc'd, restore.
The punishments of luxury and lust
Shall eat his bones, nor leave him in the dust.
Though vice, like sweet confections, please his taste,
Although between his tongue and palate plac'd,
Though he preserve, and chew it with delight,
Nor bridle his licentious appetite,
Yet shall it in his boiling stomach turn
To bitter poison, and like wild-fire burn.
He shall cast up the wealth by him devour'd,
Like vomit from his yawning entrails pour'd.
The gall of asps with thirsty lips suck in,
The viper's deadly teeth shall pierce his skin,
Nor ever shall those happy rivers know,
Which with pure oil and fragrant honey flow.
The riches purchas'd by his care and sweat
He shall resign, nor of his labours eat,
But restitution to the value make;
Nor joy in his extorted treasure take.
Since he the poor forsook, the weak oppress'd,
The mansion, by another built, possess'd,
His belly never shall be satisfied,
Nor he with his adored wealth supplied.
Of all his sustenance at once bereft,
No heir shall strive to inherit what is left.
He in the pride of his full glory shall
To earth descend, and by the wicked fall.
About to feed, Jehovah's flaming ire
Shall blast his hopes, and mix his food with fire.
While from the raging sword he vainly flies,
A bow of steel shall fix his trembling thighs.
Darts through his flowing gall shall force their way,
Eternal terrors shall his soul dismay.
Thick darkness shall enfold, a fire unblown
Devour his race, by their misfortunes known.
Heav'n shall reveal his close impieties;
And earth, by him defil'd, against him rise.
His substance in that day of wrath shall waste,
Like sudden torrents from steep mountains cast.
This is the portion of the hypocrite;
Such horrors shall on the blasphemer light. "