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A Hymn to God the Father

Donne, John (1572 - 1631)

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.
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. Back to Line
5] thou hast not done: here and elsewhere a pun on his name. Back to Line
Publication Start Year: 
1633
RPO poem Editors: 
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition: 
3RP 1.194.
Rhyme: 
ababab