We thought we ranked above the chance of ill. br Others might fall, not we, for we were wise-- br Merchants in freedom. So, of our free-will br We let our servants drug our strength with lies. br The pleasure and the poison had its way br On us as on the meanest, till we learned br That he who lies will steal, who steals will slay. br Neither God's judgment nor man's heart was turned. br br Yet there remains His Mercy--to be sought br Through wrath and peril till we cleanse the wrong br By that last right which our forefathers claimed br When their Law failed them and its stewards were bought. br This is our cause.