| Edward Farr, ed. Select Poetry of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. 1845. | | | | A Meditation | | XII. William Hunnis |
| | | BEFORE thy face, and in thy sight | |
| Haue I, deuoid of shame, | |
| O Lord, transgressed willinglie; | |
| I doo confesse the same. | |
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| Yet was I loth that men should knowe, | 5 |
| Or vnderstand my fall: | |
| Thus feard I man much more than thee, | |
| Thou righteous Iudge of all. | |
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| So blind was I and ignorant— | |
| Yea, rather wilfull blind— | 10 |
| That suckt the combe, and knew the bee | |
| Had left hir sting behind. | |
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| My shines, O God, to thee are knowne,— | |
| There is no secret place, | |
| Where I may hide myselfe or them | 15 |
| From presence of thy face. | |
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| Where shall I then myselfe bestowe? | |
| Or who shall me defend? | |
| None is so louing as my God— | |
| Thy mercies haue no end. | 20 |
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| In deede, I grant, and doo confesse, | |
| My sinnes so hainous bee, | |
| As mercie none at all deserues,— | |
| But yet thy propertie | |
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| Is alwaies to be mercifull | 25 |
| To sinners in distresse; | |
| Whereby thou wilt declare and shew | |
| Thy great Almightinesse. | |
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| Haue mercie, Lord, on me therefore | |
| For thy great mercies’ sake, | 30 |
| Which camst not righteous men to call, | |
| But sinners’ part to take. | | | | |
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