This year on Old Books with Grace, I am offering a Lent series on penitential poetry from Early Modern poets. That is, on poems of the past that reflect on one’s sin, on the need for forgiveness, on lament, on making things right, on conversion and satisfaction.

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.