Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

19 . 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.