Verse 1
He must unjust or cruel seem,
The sinner, or the law condemn,
Mercy or truth offend,
His zeal, or his compassion show;
Absolve her? he is virtue’s foe,
And sin’s acknowledg’d Friend.
Verse 2
The Serpent speaks in guileful men,
He tempts us first to sin, and then
Accuses those that yield:
But Jesus he in vain assay’d,
That Bruiser of the serpent’s head
His blunted tools repel’d.