Classic Poem

What time the delegates of pride
In pomp assemble to decide
Each controverted cause;
The judge supreme of Jesse's root
Is with the doctors to dispute
The worth of human laws.

How long (says conscience as it stings)
Will ye pronounce on men and things,
That brib'd and bias'd sit;
The key of knowledge ye conceal,
Nor those that to her court appeal
Your fallacies admit.

Defend the widows of the poor,
And to the fatherless secure
The property of peace;
Do justice to th' afflicted soul,
And give the needy wretch his dole
The pris'ner his release.

Dissembling hypocrites uncloak,
Redeem the vassal from his yoke,
To want thine aid afford;
Restore the prodigal his pledge,
And take away the cruel edge
Of thine avenger's sword.

They know not, neither will they mind
Blind leaders of the wilful blind,
The sons of fraud and force;
In acts of godliness remiss,
Whence the strong springs of social bliss
Are broke and out of course

I called your origin divine,
And prais'd the lustre of your line,
Ye bore your heads so high,
As sons of God, and nothing less,
Ye were so guarded of access,
So haughty of reply.

But ye shall share the common lot
With them whose worldly goods ye got,
The wretches you enslave;
And he, whose angel comes by stealth,
Shall take your princedom, pride and wealth,
And sink them in the grave.

Arise, and in thine own behalf
O Christ, destroy the golden calf,
And worshippers of gain;
Judge thou mankind, for thou shalt come,
In mercies without bound or sum,
O'er all the worlds to reign.