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.

Added: Jan 3 2004 | Viewed: 1290 times | Comments (0)

Poet: Robert Burns
Poem: 19. 19. A Prayer in the Prospect of Death
Volume: Poems and Songs. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Year: Published/Written in 1781
Poem of the Day on:
Nov 29 2004
There are no comments for this poem. Why not be the first one to post something about it?

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, 19. A Prayer in the Prospect of Death, has not yet been commented on. You can click here to be the first to post a comment about it. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Robert Burns with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!