O God, from this existence we were free;
Terror of non-existence none had we.
Through Thee from naught to being we arose;—
Thou water and clay's fetters didst impose;
From impotency's weakness didst Thou save,
And us in place of folly wisdom gave.
A book, too, hast Thou sent where all is plain
What we should do, from what we should abstain.
Together good and bad did we confound,—
Failing at times, at times transgressed all bound,
The path of Thy commands did not pursue,
Our footsteps slipped in what we should not do.
Constant in favour's way dost Thou abide;
Salvation's light from us Thou didst not hide.
Though in Thy grace Thou hidest not the light,
What better, since we strive not, is our plight?
At our own want of earnestness we sigh:
Give us Thy grace, that we our best may try.
Both are submerged, the ignorant and wise:
What between ignorance and wisdom lies?
With evil purpose that lust would impose,
The way of good deeds to us do not close,
But in our sighing, in our narrow strait,
To mercy's road, oh! open us a gate—
Be tow'rds Thy temple on that road our guide,
And to the true faith bear us by Thy side.