Barnabe Barnes (1569?–1609)

GRACIOUS, Divine, and most Omnipotent!

Receive thy servant’s talent in good part,

Which hid it not, but willing did convart

It to best use he could, when it was lent:

The sum—though slender, yet not all misspent—

Receive, dear God of grace, from cheerful heart

Of him that knows how merciful thou art,

And with what grace to contrite sinners bent.

I know my fault, I did not as I should;

My sinful flesh against my soul rebelled;

But since I did endeavour what I could,

Let not my little nothing be withheld

From thy rich treasuries of endless grace;

But, for thy sake, let it procure a place.