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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SIN, by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: If I have sinned in act, I may repent
Last Line: One sinful wish would make a hell of heaven.
Alternate Author Name(s): Coleridge, Hartley
Variant Title(s): The Unpardonable Sin
Subject(s): Sin
First Line: If I have sinned in act, I may repent
Last Line: One sinful wish would make a hell of heaven.
Alternate Author Name(s): Coleridge, Hartley
Variant Title(s): The Unpardonable Sin
Subject(s): Sin
If I have sinned in act, I may repent;
If I have erred in thought, I may disclaim
My silent error, and yet feel no shame --
But if my soul, big with an ill intent,
Guilty in will, by fate be innocent,
Or being bad, yet murmurs at the curse
And incapacity of being worse
That makes my hungry passion still keep Lent
In keen expectance of a carnival;
Where, in all worlds, that round the sun revolve
And shed their influence on this passive ball,
Abides a power that can my soul absolve?
Could any sin survive, and be forgiven --
One sinful wish would make a hell of heaven.
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