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