The other gods were strong; but thou wast weak; they rode, but thou didst stumble to a throne; But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds, but thou alone.
Be as thou wast wont to be. See as thou wast wont to see.
Whoe'er thou art, thy Lord and master see, Thou wast my Slave, thou art, or thou shalt be.
Teeth hadst thou in thy head when thou wast born, To signify thou camest to bite the world.
Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss And mad'st it pregnant: What is in me dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That to the heighth of this great Argument I may assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men.