Classic Poem

Moreover God answered Job & said
Shall he who contends with God instruct him
He that reproveth God — let man reprove
Then Job made answer Lord behold I'm vile
What shall I answer thee — my voice is dumb
I lay my hand upon my mouth & fear
Once have I spoken but I answer not
Nay twice — nor further dare I now proceed
Then out of the fierce whirlwind & the storm
The Lord he answered fearfull Job & spake
" Gird up thy loins again & like a man —
I will demand of thee — declare & speak
Wilt thou my judgments disannul & me
Condemn as wrong — that thou mayst righteous be
Is thine the power — hast thou an arm like God
Or canst thou thunder with a voice like him
Thyself with excellence & majesty array
With glory & with beauty deck thyself
& cast abroad thy rage of viewless ire
Behold the proud abase him with thy wrath —
Around look on the proud & bring him low
Tread underfoot the wicked in their place
Together hide them in degrading dust
& bind their faces under secret thralls
Then will I also unto thee confess
That thy right hand & arm thy self can save
Behold Behemoth which I made with thee
He eateth grass as doth the ox — lo now
His strength is in his loins his force & power
Is in the navel of his belly — moving now
His tail like to a cedar — his sinewed stones
Are wrapt together — his bones are strong as brass
Aye firm unflinching all as iron bars
Chief of Gods ways is he — he that made him
Can make his sword to pierce him & destroy
The mountains surely bring him forth his food
Where all the beast o' th' field do herd & play
Coverts of shady trees do make his lair
In the reed forests of the untrodden fens
The shady trees doth cover him with shadow
& willow brooks encompass him with shade
Behold he drinks a river in his thirst
& trusts to swallow Jordan in his mouth
He takes it with his eyes in thirsty draughts
& his nose pierces through the hidden snares.