Classic Poem

As God Creator lives, who now
To Judge my cause denies;
Th' Almighty, who my vexed soul
With sharp affliction tries:

While in my nostrils breath remains,
Which God inspired at first,
No wicked guile shall by my lips,
Nor falsehood be express'd

I'm slander'd by my cruel friends,
Their censures underly,
Charg'd with hypocrisy and fraud,
And crimes of deepest dye.

Should I acquit their calumnies,
Absolve their sland'rous tongue,
Confess their libel stuff'd with lies,
My innocence to wrong?

Forbid it Heav'n! so black a charge
Of crimes to me unknown,
I, to my last expiring breath,
Will steadfastly disown.

This my rejoicing still shall be,
The testimony clear,
And conscience of integrity,
I in my bosom bear.

Reproachfully they me accuse;
But from approved sin
My Judge shall me acquit, as does
His justice court within.