Declaration of that Paradox or Thesis, that Self-Homicide is not so naturally a sin that it may not be otherwise, London, 1644, 1648, &c. 4to. The original under the author's own hand is preserved in the Bodleian Library. Mr. Walton gives this piece the character of an exact and laborious treatise, 'wherein all the laws violated by that act (self murder) are diligently surveyed and judiciously censured.' The piece from whence I shall take the following quotation, is called a Hymn to God the Father, was composed in the time of his sickness, which breathes a spirit of fervent piety, though no great force of poetry is discoverable in it. A HYMN to GOD the FATHER. Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun, Which was my sin, tho' it were done before? Wilt thou forgive that sin through which I run, And do run still, tho' still I do deplore? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. Wilt thou forgive that in which I have won, Others to sin, and made my sin their door? Wilt thou forgive that sin, which I did shun, A year or two, but wallowed in a score? When thou hast done, thou hast not done, For I have more. I have a sin of fear, when I have spun, My last thread, I shall perish on the shore; But swear, that at my death, thy son, Shall shine, as he shines now, and heretofore, And having done that, thou hast done, I ask no more. [Footnote 1: Walton's Life of Donne] [Footnote 2: Wood vol. v. col. 554.] [Footnote 3: Walton p. 29]. [Footnote 4: Life ubi supra p. 52]. [Footnote 5: Walton, p. 39, 41.] [Footnote 6: Walton ut Supra, p. 46] * * * * * MICHAEL DRAYTON