Confession - before Advent

   Forgiveness, God, for all my sins

I seek at last,

  the sin in word, the deed in heart, 

 foul sin compassed.

                 

                          In heedless youth I broke the rule,

                              made grievous slips,

                         offered fair women of gleaming teeth

                               lascivious lips.

Now  I am an old, old man

and after sinful years

    I seek no feast but that my cheeks

                                   be wet with tears.

         Medieval Irish Lyric