The Beauties of Burn's Poems/A Prayer in the Prospect of Death

by Robert Burns (1759-1796)

For other versions of this work, see A Prayer in the Prospect of Death.

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 any breast
Remonstrates I have done;

Thou knowest thou hast formed me
With passions wild and strong,
Am 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 Goodnes still
Delighteth to forgive.

 

Divider from 'The Beauties of Burn's Poems' a chapbook printed in Falkirk in 1819