Foresight: Shine

Selwyn Image, Wise Virgins, Stained glass (1888)

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'A Hymn to God the Father' by John Donne

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
         Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
         And do run still, though still I do deplore?
                When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
                        For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
         Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
         A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?
                When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
                        For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
         My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
         Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
                And, having done that, thou hast done;
                        I fear no more.

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Selwyn Image (1849–1930) was a British artist. Wise Virgins is located at St Michael and All Angels, Waterford, Hertfordshire.

John Donne (1572–1631) was an English poet and an Anglican priest.