Part 26 (1/2)

I go mourning without sun; I stand up in the a.s.sembly and cry aloud; I am become a brother unto jackals, And a comrade unto ostriches.

CCLXI

My skin hath grown black upon me And my bones are scorched with heat; My harp is turned to mourning, And my bagpipe into the wail of the weeping.[246]

CCLXII

If I have walked with men of wickedness, Or if my feet have hastened to deceit, Let him weigh me in balances of justice, That G.o.d may know mine integrity!

CCLXIII

If my steps have swerved from the way, And mine heart followed in the wake of mine eyes, Let me now sow and another eat, Yea, let my garden be rooted out!

CCLXIV

If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, Or if I have lain in wait at my neighbour's door, Then let my wife turn the mill unto another And let others bow down upon her!

CCLXV

For adultery is a grievous crime, Yea, a crime to be punished by the judges: It is a fire that consumeth to utter destruction, And would root out all mine increase.

CCLXVI

Had I despised the right of my man-servant Or of my maidservant, when they contended with me, What could I do, when G.o.d rose up?

And when he visiteth, what could I answer him?

CCLXVII

For perdition from G.o.d was a terror to me, And for his highness' sake I could not do such things.

Did not he that made me in the womb, make him?[247]

And did he not fas.h.i.+on us in one belly?

CCLXVIII

Never have I withheld the poor from their desire, Nor caused the widow's eyes to fail; Nor have I eaten my morsel alone, Unless the fatherless had partaken thereof.

CCLXIX

If I saw one perish for lack of clothing, Or any of the poor devoid of covering; Then surely did his loins bless me, And he was warmed with the fleece of my sheep.

CCLXX

If I lifted up my hand against the fatherless, When I saw my backers in the gate,[248]

Then let my shoulder fall from its setting, And mine arm from its channel bone!

CCLXXI

I have never made gold my hope, Nor said to the fine gold: ”Thou art my trust;”

Never did I rejoice that my wealth was great, And because mine hand had found much.

CCLXXII