Robert Burns

A Prayer in the Prospect of Death

O THOU unknown Almighty Cause
  Of all my hope and fear!
In whose dread presence, ere an hour,
  Perhaps I must appear!

If I have wander’d in those paths
  Of life I ought to shun;
As something, loudly in my breast,
  Remonstrates I have done;

Thou know’st that Thou hast formed me
  With passions wild and strong;
And list’ning to their witching voice
  Has often led me wrong.

Where human weakness has come short,
  Or frailty stept aside,
Do thou, All-Good! for such Thou art,
  In shades of darkness hide.

Where with intention I have err’d,
  No other plea I have,
But Thou art good; and Goodness still
  Delighteth to forgive.