Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/282

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242
HOURS OF IDLENESS.

There must thou soon direct thy flight,
If errors are forgiven.
To bigots and to sects unknown,
Bow down beneath the Almighty's Throne;
To Him address thy trembling prayer:
He, who is merciful and just,
Will not reject a child of dust,
Although His meanest care.


12.

Father of Light! to Thee I call;
My soul is dark within:
Thou who canst mark the sparrow's fall,
Avert the death of sin.
Thou, who canst guide the wandering star,
Who calm'st the elemental war,
Whose mantle is yon boundless sky,
My thoughts, my words, my crimes forgive;
And, since I soon must cease to live,
Instruct me how to die.[1]

1807. [First published, 1832.]


TO ——[2]

1.

Oh! well I know your subtle Sex,

Frail daughters of the wanton Eve,—
  1. And since I must forbear to live,
    Instruct me how to die.—[MS. Newstead.]

  2. [From an autograph MS. at Newstead, now for the first time printed.]