19. A Prayer in the Prospect of Death
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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.
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