Say, ye apostate and profane, br Wretches, who blush not to disdain br Allegiance to your God,-- br Did e'er your idly wasted love br Of virtue for her sake remove br And lift you from the crowd? br br Would you the race of glory run, br Know, the devout, and they alone, br Are equal to the task: br The labours of the illustrious course br Far other than the unaided force br Of human vigour ask, br br To arm against reputed ill br The patient heart too brave to feel br The tortures of despair: br Nor safer yet high-crested pride, br When wealth flows in with every tide br To gain admittance there. br br To rescue from the tyrant’s sword br The oppress'd; unseen and unimplored, br To cheer the face of woe; br From lawless insult to defend br An orphan's right—a fallen friend, br And a forgiven foe; br br These, these distinguish from the crowd, br And these alone, the great and good, br The guardians of mankind; br Whose bosoms with these virtues heave, br O with what matchless speed they leave br The multitude behind! br br Then ask ye, from what cause on earth br Virtues like these derive their birth? br Derived from Heaven alone, br Full on that favour’d breast they shine, br Where faith and resignation join br To call the blessing down.