A Forlorn Hope

Lest you should feel That I am all unworthy of your grace, I set me in your presence to reveal Whate’er of good within my heart hath place.

Lest you should then Love me too well at first, and then despise-- Finding I am but weak as other men-- I do not hide my folly from your eyes.

Mask’d with no sham, When thus my strivings and my sins you see, Although you cannot love the man I am, You yet may love the man I strive to be.