The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/Stanzas on the same occasion
For other versions of this work, see Stanzas on the same occasion.
STANZAS ON THE SAME OCCASION.
Why am I loth to leave this earthly scene!Have I so found it full of pleasing charms?Some drops of joy with draughts of ill between:Some gleams of sunshine 'mid renewing storms;Is it departing pangs my soul alarms?Or Death's unlovely, dreary, dark abode?For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in arms;I tremble to approach an angry God,And justly smart beneath his sin-avenging rod.
Fain would I say, 'Forgive my foul offence!'Fain promise never more to disobey;But, should my Author health again dispense,Again I might desert fair virtue's way;Again in folly's path might go astray;Again exalt the brute, and sink the man;Then how should I for Heavenly mercy pray,Who act so counter Heavenly mercy's plan?Who sin so oft have mourn'd, yet to temptation ran?
O Thou, great Governor of all below!If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,Thy nod can make the tempest cease to blow,And still the tumult of the raging sea:With that controuling pow'r assist ev'n me,Those headlong furious passions to confine,For all unfit I feel my powers be,To rule their torrent in th' allowed line;O, aid me with Thy help, Omnipotence Divine!