Poems and Songs of Robert Burns

  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 my breast,
  remonstrates i have done;
  thou know'st that thou hast formed me
  with passions wild and strong;
  and 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 goodness still
  delighteth to forgive.