John Donne (1572-1631)
A Hymn to God the Father
1Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
2 Which was my sin, though it were done before?
3Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
4 And do run still, though still I do deplore?
5 When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
6 For I have more.
7Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
8 Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
9Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
10 A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?
11 When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
12 For I have more.
13I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
14 My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
15But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
16 Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
17 And, having done that, thou hast done;
18 I fear no more.
Notes
1] According to Izaak Walton, written during a dangerous illness of 1623.
5] thou hast not done: here and elsewhere a pun on his name.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: John Donne, Poems, by J. D. With elegies on the authors death (M. F. for J. Marriot, 1633). MICF no. 556 ROBA. Facs. edn. Menston: Scolar Press, 1969. PR 2245 A2 1633A. STC 7045.
First publication date:
1633
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 3RP 1.194.
Recent editing: 4:2002/2/5
Composition date:
1623
Rhyme: ababab
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