God's Help Implored

How long, O God, how long
Must thy pure eyes behold
This fair world blasted by the wrong,
Man does to man for gold?
How long shall Reason be cast down,
And a fierce demon wear her crown?


The mother of our race,
Whose sin brought death and wo,
Yet in her weakness found thy grace;--
The Tempter's curse we know:
Doth he who drinks, wrong most the soul?
Or he who tempts him to the bowl?


Help us, O God, to weigh
Our deeds as in thy scales;
Nor let gold dust the balance sway:--
For good o'er gold prevails,
At that dread bar where all must look
Upon the record in thy Book