1 I hate the tempter and his charms, I hate his flattering breath; The serpent takes a thousand forms To cheat our souls to death.
2 He feeds our hopes with airy dreams, Or kills with slavish fear; And holds us still in wide extremes, Presumption, or despair.
3 Now he persuades, "How easy 'tis "To walk the road to heaven;" Anon he swells our sins, and cries, "They cannot be forgiven."
4 [He bids young sinners, "Yet forbear "To think of God or death; "For prayer and devotion are "But melancholy breath."
5 He tells the aged, "They must die, "And 'tis too late to pray; "In vain for mercy now they cry, "For they have lost their day."]
6 Thus he supports his cruel throne By mischief and deceit; And drags the sons of Adam down To darkness and the pit.
7 Almighty God, cut short his power, Let him in darkness dwell; And, that he vex the earth no more, Confine him down to hell.