Poet-priest John Donne wrestles with the fact that Christians continue to sin even after they repent and vow to sin no more. This poem enumerates different types of sin – repeating already repented-of sins, causing others to sin, remembering older sins – and wonders at God’s ongoing forgiveness. Notice the repetition in the last two lines of each stanza; the poem moves from requesting God’s continued forgiveness in response to continued sin to beseeching God for final forgiveness at the moment of death.
I
Wilt Thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which is 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.
II
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 wallowed in, a score?
When Thou hast done, Thou hast not done,
For I have more.
III
I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun My last thread,
I shall perish on the shore;
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.
John Donne (1623)