Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
John Donne. 15731631201. A Hymn to God the Father
WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun, | |
Which was my sin, though it were done before? | |
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run, | |
And do run still, though still I do deplore? | |
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done; | 5 |
For I have more. | |
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won | |
Others to sin, and made my sins their door? | |
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun | |
A year or two, but wallow’d in a score? | 10 |
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done; | |
For I have more. | |
I have a sin of fear, that when I’ve spun | |
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore; | |
But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son | 15 |
Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore: | |
And having done that, Thou hast done; | |
I fear no more. |