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Home » Famous Poems » John Donne » A Hymn to God the Father

A Hymn to God the Father

by John Donne

WILT Thou forgive that sin where I begun  
Which was my sin though it were done before? 
Wilt Thou forgive that sin through which I run  
And do run still though still I do deplore? 
When Thou hast done Thou hast not done; 5 
For I have more.
 

Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I have won 
Others to sin and made my sins their door? 
Wilt Thou forgive that sin which I did shun 
A year or two but wallow'd in a score? 10 
When Thou hast done Thou hast not done; 
For I have more.
 

I have a sin of fear that when I've spun 
My last thread I shall perish on the shore; 
But swear by Thyself that at my death Thy Son 15 
Shall shine as He shines now and heretofore: 
And having done that Thou hast done; 
I fear no more.