He counts his sins, he asks for grace, vows to repent.
He sees the wickedness of all he’s said and done;
He promises, in future, errant ways to shun.
‘If but I’m spared,’ he says, ‘I never will sin more;
I’ll righteousness ensue, all trespasses abjure.’
By this thou seest that sickness is not all an ill.
’Tis but a time for waking conscience good to will.
Know then the aphorism, O seeker after truth,—
Whoe’er thou be, to whom scent of it may give ruth:315
‘The man that’s most awake, with most of pain will reel;