I dwelt amid the tide of prosperous days, 

 And yet this trouble came." 

 With mien unmoved 

 The Temanite reprovingly replied: 

 "Who can refrain longer from words, even though 

 To speak be grief? Thou hast the instructor been 

 Of many, and their model how to act. 

 When trial came upon them, if their knees 

 Bow'd down, thou saidst, "be strong," and they obey'd. 

 But now it toucheth thee and thou dost shrink, 

 And murmuring, faint. The monitor forgets 

 The precepts he hath taught. Is this thy faith, 

 Thy confidence, the uprightness of thy way? 

 Whoever perish'd being innocent? 

 And when were those who walk'd in righteous ways 

 Cut off? How oft I've seen that those who sow 

 The seeds of evil secretly, and plow 

 Under a veil of darkness, reap the same. 

 In visions of the night, when deepest sleep 

 Falls upon men, fear seiz'd me, all my bones 

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