With grief opprest, and prostrate in the dust,
Should’st thou condemn, I own thy sentence just.
But, oh, thy softer titles let me claim,
And plead my cause by Mercy’s gentle name.
Mercy! that wipes the penitential tear,
And dissipates the horrors of despair;
From righteous justice deals the vengeful hour,
Softens the dreadful attribute of pow’r,
Disarms the wrath of an offended God,
And seals my pardon in a Saviour’s blood!