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 pathsOf life, I ought to shun,As something loudly in any breastRemonstrates I have done;

Thou knowest thou hast formed meWith 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 stillDelighteth to forgive.

 

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