One more from the pen of John Donne; this is a selection from his cycle of Holy Sonnets. It was written after the death of his beloved wife, Anne, who died in childbirth with their 12th child.
Holy Sonnets: Since she whom I lov'd hath paid her last debt
Since she whom I lov'd hath paid her last debt
To nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
And her soul early into heaven ravished,
Wholly in heavenly things my mind is set.
Here the admiring her my mind did whet
To seek thee, God; so streams do show the head;
But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
A holy thirsty dropsy melts me yet.
But why should I beg more love, whenas thou
Dost woo my soul, for hers off'ring all thine,
And dost not only fear lest I allow
My love to saints and angels, things divine,
But in thy tender jealousy dost doubt
Lest the world, flesh, yea devil put thee out.
John Donne
I had to study Donne for the 'A' Levels. At first we were resistant, but gradually his wit and his poetry won over.
ReplyDeleteI memorised so many of his sonnets just for fun, because it was so enjoyable just reciting them aloud.
This is a trip down memory lane indeed.
Thanks.