National Poetry Month, Day 16

       A Hymn to God the Father

                      John Donne

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,

                        For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won

            Others to sin, and made my sin their door?

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun

            A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?

When thou hast done, thou hast not done,

                        For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun

            My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;

But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son

            Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;

And, having done that, thou hast done;

                        I fear no more.