1 When, by the tempter’s wiles betrayed
Adam our head and parent fell,
Unknown before, a pleasure spread,
Through all the mazy deeps of hell.

2 Infernal powers rejoiced to see
The new-made world destroyed, undone;
But God proclaims His great decree,
Of grace and mercy through His Son.

3 Serpent, accursed, thy sentence read,
Almighty vengeance thou shalt feel;
The woman’s seed shall crush thy head,
Thy malice slightly bruise His heel.

4 Thus God declares, and Christ descends,
In human form to bleed and die;
Whilst by His death, death’s empire ends,
And all the sons of darkness fly.

5 Rising, the King of glory deals
Destruction to His numerous foes;
His power the daring tempter feels,
And sinks oppressed beneath his woes.