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Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845.

A Hymne to God the Father

II. John Donne

WILT thou forgive that sinne where I begunne,

Which was my sinne, though it were done before?

Wilt thou forgive that sinne, through which I runne,

And do runne still, thou still I do deplore?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I have woune

Others to sinne? and made my sinne their doore?

Wilt thou forgive that sinne which I did shunne

A yeare or two, but wallowed in a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

For I have more.

I have a sinne of feare, that when I have spunne

My last thred I shall perish on the shore:

But sweare by thyselfe that at my death thy sonne

Shall shine as he shines now and heretofore;

And having done that, thou hast done—

I feare no more.