XII. William Hunnis

BEFORE thy face, and in thy sight

Haue I, deuoid of shame,

O Lord, transgressed willinglie;

I doo confesse the same.

Yet was I loth that men should knowe,

Or vnderstand my fall:

Thus feard I man much more than thee,

Thou righteous Iudge of all.

So blind was I and ignorant—

Yea, rather wilfull blind—

That suckt the combe, and knew the bee

Had left hir sting behind.

My shines, O God, to thee are knowne,—

There is no secret place,

Where I may hide myselfe or them

From presence of thy face.

Where shall I then myselfe bestowe?

Or who shall me defend?

None is so louing as my God—

Thy mercies haue no end.

In deede, I grant, and doo confesse,

My sinnes so hainous bee,

As mercie none at all deserues,—

But yet thy propertie

Is alwaies to be mercifull

To sinners in distresse;

Whereby thou wilt declare and shew

Thy great Almightinesse.

Haue mercie, Lord, on me therefore

For thy great mercies’ sake,

Which camst not righteous men to call,

But sinners’ part to take.