II.

Well know I that there are no words which can Move Thee to favour him for whom Thy grace Was not reserved from all eternity. Repentance in Thy counsel finds no place: Nor can the eloquence of mortal man Bend Thee to mercy, when Thy sure decree Hath stablished that this frame of mine should be Rent by these pangs that flesh and spirit tire. Nay if the whole world knows my martyrdom-- Heaven, earth, and all that in them have their home-- Why tell the tale to Thee, their Lord and Sire? And if all change is death or some such state, Thou deathless God, to whom for help I come, How shall I make Thee change, to change my fate?