Did God make Satan? In this world of peace,
Of pristine purity, of light and joy,
Bloom knew no blight and pleasure no alloy
Did He create the demon of caprice?
Create the strife that never more can cease?
The conflicts that our lives do so annoy?
Why send the subtle serpent to decoy?
O why let cruel wrong and crime increase?
Souls burst in anguish, fond hearts break with grief;
Grim Death despoils the noblest work of life;
Men struggle, fall, crushed as the withered leaf,
And writhe in sable storms of bitter strife.
Did'st Thou, O God, create the evil one?
Give man, we pray Thee, strength to stand alone!
