William Mather - Did sweeter sounds adorn my flowing tongue - текст песни (слова)

Did sweeter sounds adorn my flowing tongue
 Than ever man pronounc'd, or angels sung;
 Had I all knowledge, human and divine,
 That thought can reach, or science can define; 
 
 And had I pow'r to give that knowledge birth,
 In all the speeches of the babbling earth;
 Did Shadrach's zeal my glowing breast inspire,
 To weary tortures, and rejoice in fire;
 
 Or had I faith like that which Israel saw
 When Moses gave them miracles and law;
 Yet, gracious charity, indulgent guest,
 Were not thy pow'r exerted in my breast,
 
 Those speeches would send up unheeded pray'r,
 That scorn of life would be but wild despair,
 A cymbal's sound were better than my voice,
 My faith were form, my eloquence were noise.
 
 Charity, decent, modest, easy, kind,
 Softens the high, and rears the abject mind;
 Knows with just reins and gentle hand to guide
 Betwixt vile shame and arbitrary pride.