If I have squandered your gifts, O Dear Lord, and glorified myself with hoarded wealth; if I have crucified the Lamb and Word, and planned against my righteous neighbor's health, then a rebellious son swift to repent will not corrupt truth, nor forever break the law or second-highest commandment; instead, your talents now will all awake in him and in these written lines of rhyme: what I am endowed with, I will employ and with love make the most of my short time, and on earth spread and multiply Christ's joy. For whilst some lust for power or live for blood, I was formed to see my songs lift Death's hood!