by John Donne
30. discovering grace: Revealing beauty.
33. Men of France: Proverbially amorous.
34. Spitals’of diseases: Low-class hospitals.
35. Love’s fuellers: Aphrodisiacs.
37. know: Also carnally.
alas: Pun on ‘a lass’.
38. indifferent: Ready to make love to a man or woman.
41. Lot’s fair guests: The citizens of Sodom, mired in vice, demanded that Lot present two visiting angels to them (Genesis 18–19).
42. hydroptic: Swollen with water, because Holland is so wet; having an insatiable thirst.
44. gallery: Colonnade or walkway.
46. Our greatest King: God.
Text notes: Copy-text, 1635; 28 minds ms] mind 1635
Elegy 12. His Picture
10. powder’s: Gunpowder’s.
20. disused: Unaccustomed.
Text notes title ed.] Elegie V 1633, Eleg. V. His Picture 1635; 8 hoariness ms] storms being 1633
Elegy 13. The Autumnal
7. Golden Age: The first of four supposed ages of history (Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron), symbolizing a lost paradise.
13. graves: Wrinkles as deep engravings on the skin.
16. anachorite: An anchorite or religious recluse.
17. hers: Her death.
20. progress: A monarch’s stately journey through the countryside.
standing house: Permanent residence.
25. under-wood: Underbrush; in contrast to ‘timber’, older, sturdier wood.
29. Xerxes’ … tree: On his march into Greece in 480 BC the Persian king Xerxes found a plane tree in Lydia and ornamented its stately beauty with gold. The barren tree bore no fruit.
41. several: Different.
42. To vex … Resurrection: On Judgement Day the soul will be reunited with the resurrected parts of its earthly body.
43. death’s heads: Skulls; mementos mori.
47. natural lation: Intrinsic motion.
Text notes: title ed.] Elegie. The Autumnall 1633, Eleg. IX. The Autumnall 1635; 8 she’s ms] they’are 1633; 10 habitable ms] tolerable 1633; 43 death’s heads ms] death’s-heads 1633, death-heads 1635; 47 natural lation ms] motion natural 1633, natural station 1635; 50 on ms] out 1633
Elegy 14: Love’s Progress
4. bear-whelp: Bear-cub.
14. from fire ever free: Gold was believed to be unaffected by fire.
16. our new nature (use): The act of employing gold for profit has become so common as to seem natural.
26. hers: Her qualities; her family and connections.
29. infernal: Belonging to the underworld.
30. Pluto: Roman god of the underworld.
36. the centric part: The central part, her genitals.
42. springes: Nooses.
52. Canaries: The Canary Islands.
ambrosial: Divine, celestial – from ambrosia, the food of the gods.
55. Sirens’ songs: Mythological sea nymphs whose singing was said to lure sailors to destruction.
56. Delphic oracles: The oracle of Apollo, god of prophecy, archery, music and healing, located on Mount Parnassus near Delphi in Greece.
58. remora: A sucking fish thought to have the power of staying the course of any ship to which it attached itself.
60. Hellespont: The Dardanelles, the strait separating Europe and Asia.
61. Sestos and Abydos: An ancient fortress and a village located on opposite sides of the Hellespont, the homes of the lovers Hero and Leander (see l. 62).
65. India: Figurative source of wealth.
68. embayed: Enveloped, surrounded.
69. another forest: Pubic hair.
74. symmetry: Correspondence.
78. the Devil never can change his: The Devil can take various forms, but can never change his cloven feet.
92. purses: Pouches; also genitals.
aversely: In the opposite direction.
94. exchequer: Treasury.
96. clyster: Enema.
meat: Food.
Text notes: Copy-text, 1669; title ed.] An Elegie on Loves Progress ms, Elegie. XIII 1669; 5 strange ms] strong 1669; 18 and ms] but 1669; 25 beauty’is ms] beauties no 1669; 47 first ms] sweet 1669; 57 There ms] Then 1669; 60 O’er past, and the straight ms] Being past the straits of 1669; 67 thence ms] there 1669; 67 thy ms] the 1669; 68 would’st ms] should’st 1669; 70 some do ms] many 1669; 90 elements ms] enemies 1669; 96 clyster gave ms] glister gives 1669
Elegy 15. His Parting from Her
7. Cynthia: The moon.
Venus: The morning or evening star.
15. thyself art blind: Cupid, the god of love, was conventionally depicted as blind.
17. break … on thy wheel: A form of torture.
18. old Chaos: Either the void from which God created heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1) or the oldest of the Greek gods.
26. golden fruit: The fruit, always just beyond the reach of Tantalus in Hades, the mythic underworld.
rapt: Carried away by force.
30. dove-like: Gentle, innocent, loving.
amiss: Error.
31–2. expiate / Thy wrath: Extinguish Love’s wrath by suffering it to the full.
39. hazard: Endanger.
42. towered: Standing in a tower, looking down; confined in a tower; hovering above, ready to swoop like a hawk; rising to a high emotional pitch.
over all the towered husbands: Or over all thy husbands. A famously enigmatic line, further complicated by the textual alternatives: (1) ‘over all the husbands’ or the men who wished to marry her, she having chosen and remained faithful to the speaker; (2) Venus’s husband, Vulcan, watches over all as the goddess of love tries to separate the lovers; (3) the speaker’s mistress’s husband watches as they try to conceal their love.
46. correspondence: Intercourse or relations of a secret or illicit nature.
49. Shadowed with negligence: Hid (their feelings) with the appearance of negligence.
respects: Love, as in to send one’s respects.
51. becks: Gestures of assent.
under-boards: Both literally under tables and, figuratively, secretly or deceptively.
54. thy pale … heart: Her pale appearance conceals her panting heart within.
56. vulgar: Common, ordinary.
58. grow to: Grow together.
61. rive: Sever, cleave.
68. strokes: Blows.
72. shifts: Ingenious devices for effecting some purpose.
75–6. air … fire …Waters … earth: The four traditional elements.
76. clear: Serene, cheerful.
sure: Steadfast, faithful.
77. loose our passages: Break off our amorous relationships.
86. Phoebus: The sun.
87. like: Equal.
90. Win on: Subdue, take possession of.
97. poles: The North and South Poles, which are fixed.
Text notes: Copy-text, 1669; first printed 1635; title ed.] Eleg. XIIII. His parting from her 1635; 5–44 omitted 1635; 6 Thou and ms] And that 1669; 9 thee ms] them 1669; 11 felt want ms] self-want 1669; 25 now, sooner ms] sooner now 1669; 34 followers ms] favourites 1669; 36 informing ms] inflaming 1669; 37 glow ms] blow 1669; 42 all the towered husbands eyes ms] all thy husbands towering eyes 1669; 43 That flamed with oily ms] Inflamed with th’ugly 1669; 44 with ms] in 1669; 54 thy pale colours inward as thy heart ms] thy pale inwards, and thy panting heart 1635; 57–66 omitted 1635; 61–2 rive us with the deed, / Strain her eyes open; and it ms] ruin us with the deed, / Strain his eyes open, and yet 1669; 66 shame ms] name 1669; 69 Render us asunder ms] Bend us in sunder 1635, Render us in sunder 1669; 83–94 omitted 1635; 96 words ms] deeds 1669
Elegy 16. The Expostulation
title Expostulation: Remonstrance, protest, reproof.
1. doubt: Apprehension, fear.
19. draw: Draw a veil over something to conceal it; bring together; influence in a desired direction; draw up a legal document.
bonds: The forces by which a un
ion is maintained, as in the bonds of matrimony; deeds obliging one to pay a certain sum.
21. the wrong way: By taking the reverse of what you say.
22. would: Who would.
23. profane: Abuse what ought to be held in reverence.
25–6. though … inconstancy: Although perverse jealousy and external conditions might allege your inconstancy.
34. counsels: Secret plans.
36. cast: Think.
40. Cain: Eldest son of Adam and Eve; having murdered his brother, Abel, he was sent into exile (Genesis 4:1–16).
42. witty: Skilful, especially in contriving evil.
45. deny God thrice Peter denied Christ three times at the palace of the High Priest (Matthew 26:69–75).
46. not … soul’s price: Not be trusted any more on the value of his soul.
51. carrion: Rotten, vile.
58. Delight … make: Delight not in the product but in the process.
61. masks: Also courtly entertainments or masques.
64. officious: Eager to please.
70. art: Skill that results from knowledge and practice; human workmanship as opposed to nature; action that attains its ends by covert means; poetry.
Text note: title ed.] Elegie 1633, Eleg. XVII. The Expostulation 1635
Elegy 17. Variety
7. sign: Sign of the Zodiac.
to inn: To lodge.
13. strange bark: Foreign ship.
16. share: Receive; enjoy.
20. humane: Civil, courteous.
21. die: Also, reach orgasm.
25. extremes: The body’s extremities.
27. agreements: Pleasing qualities.
33. fair: Beautiful.
34. degree: Social position.
40. stir up race: Beget children.
41. bands: Sexual unions; marriages.
45. honour: Chastity.
53. growing on: As time goes on.
55. Love: Cupid.
immedicable: Incurable.
57. want: Lack, loss.
58. awful: Impressive, majestic; causing fear.
63. deprest: Suppressed; hindered by societal restrictions.
Text notes: Copy-text and first printing, 1650; title ed.] Elegy: Variety ms, untitled 1650; 3 love 1650] lov’d 1669; 12 far ms] clear 1650–69; 19 aver ms and 1669] ever 1650; 31 are ms] were 1650–69; 38 crime! ms] crime? 1650; 53 it ms] its 1650; 72 flame ms] same 1650
Sappho to Philænis
title Sappho: Greek woman poet from the island of Lesbos, who composed love poetry about both men and women around 600 BC.
Philænis: Literally ‘Female Friend’.
3. draws: Copies, emulates.
11. it: Both Philænis’s image and Sappho’s heart.
19. silly: Ordinary; frail.
20. A little world: It was believed that man is a microcosm of the universe.
25. Phao: A handsome ferryman whom Sappho loved unrequitedly.
31. wants: Is lacking.
36. unmanured: Uncultivated.
39. that which their sin shows: Illegitimate children.
55. glass: Mirror.
Text notes: 58 thee ms] she 1633; 59–60 cheek’s red outwear … the galaxy 1633] cheeks outwear all scarlet dye / May bliss and thee be one eternally ms
THE EPITHALAMIONS OR MARRIAGE SONGS
An Epithalamion, or Marriage Song, on the Lady Elizabeth and Count Palatine
title Lady Elizabeth and Count Palatine: Written for the marriage of Princess Elizabeth (1596–1662), daughter of James I, to Frederick, Elector of the Palatine (1596–1632), on 14 February 1613. Donne was part of the embassy sent to negotiate the marriage settlement the previous year.
7. neglects … for love: The sparrow was believed to have a shorter lifespan as a result of his sexual passion.
8. red stomacher: Red waistcoat, here the robin’s breast.
10. halcyon: Kingfisher, a symbol of serenity.
11. straight: Soon.
18–22. two phoenixes … not contain: Only one of the mythic birds could exist at any one time, which is why it could not have been on Noah’s ark. The legendary bird was hermaphroditic and immortal, being reborn from its own ashes.
27. courage: Sexual desire.
37–8. blazing … not die: Falling stars were believed to foretell a prince’s death.
52. his way: The bishop unites the lovers spiritually in the sacrament of marriage, contrasting with their own emotional and sexual union.
67. maskers: Guests taking part in a masquerade or masque, a courtly entertainment.
80. Yet: Still.
85. she Sun … he Moon: The gender roles are reversed; usually the sun, Apollo, was considered male, the moon, Diana or Cynthia, female.
93. debt: Conventional term for spouses’ sexual and legal obligation to one another.
94. acquittances: Proof of paid debts.
98. turtles: Turtle doves, representing true love.
105. Waiting: Attending upon the newly-weds the morning after their marriage, as was customary.
108. at which side: Of the curtained bed.
112. enlarge: Prolong.
Text notes: 46 grow ms] go 1633; 56 of ms] O 1633; 60 stars ms and 1635–69] store 1633; 94 acquittances ms] acquittance 1633
Epithalamion Made at Lincoln’s Inn
title Lincoln’s Inn: One of the Inns of Court, where Donne studied law from 1592 to 1595 or 1596.
4–5. your body’s print … dint: Your body makes a mark or impression on the down feather bed.
14. mines: Also with a sexual connotation.
furnished: Stocked; accoutred, dressed; covered with flesh.
16. angels: Gold coins (for their dowries) stamped with the archangel Michael slaying a dragon.
19. Conceitedly: Fancifully, whimsically.
21. for love fit fuel: Something that inflames passion.
22. Flora: Goddess of flowers.
Ind: India.
23. lame: Imperfect, with a physical connotation.
29. fellowships: Groups of students at Lincoln’s Inn.
30. hermaphrodites: Unions of opposite attributes or qualities, containing characteristics of both sexes; here, the union of study, a masculine occupation, and play, socializing with women.
43. elder claims: Prior claims on the lovers’ affections.
55. He flies … stands still: Referring to winter’s shortened days and summer’s long light.
56. shadows turn: After noon, shadows fall in the opposite direction.
58. But: In case they.
61. amorous evening star: The planet Venus, named after the goddess of love.
70. labours: Both in intercourse and in childbirth.
71. turn: Return, with a sexual connotation.
86. this life … spent: It was believed that one’s earthly life should be piously spent in pursuit of heaven, and also that sexual intercourse shortened one’s lifespan.
87. style: Title; rank.
89–90. Like … t’embowel her: The husband will break her hymen as tenderly as if he were an Old Testament priest disembowelling a sacrificial lamb.
93. This sun: The bride.
94. want: Lack.
95. maim: Damage to or loss of some bodily part. Paradoxically, losing her hymen makes the bride all the more perfect.
Text notes: 23 fair, rich, glad ms] fair and rich 1633; 26 Sons 1635] Some 1633; 49 O ms] omitted 1633; 59 run ms] come 1633; 60 put ms] but 1633
Eclogue at the Marriage of the Earl of Somerset
Written for the marriage of Robert Carr (1585/6–1645), a favourite of King James I who became Earl of Somerset in 1613, and Frances Howard (1590–1632), on 26 December 1613. The marriage took place shortly after Howard’s divorce from Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex. Somerset and Howard were convicted in 1616 of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury (1581–1613), who was poisoned in the Tower of London, where he had been imprisoned after opposing their marriage and threatening to publicize their premarital affair.
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prologue Allophanes: Literally ‘One Sounding Like Another’, Allophanes represents Sir Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Ancram (1578–1654), a friend of Donne’s and a follower of Somerset, whose name was also spelled ‘Carr’.
Idios, implying peculiarity or ignorance, probably represents Donne, who held no courtly position.
5. courage: Sexual desire.
8. frieze: Coarse woollen cloth, with a pun on ‘freeze’.
21–2. early light … created were: According to the Book of Genesis (1:3, 16), God created light on the first day, the sun and moon on the fourth.
27. prevent: Outdo.
37. digest: Disperse.
51. is of the world: Is a microcosm of the world.
54. of courts: An epitome of courts.
59. East Indian fleet: Fleet bound for the East Indies, which were known for spices and perfumes.
60. amber: Ambergris, a fragrant, waxy substance used to flavour food and make perfumes.
66. heaven gild … eye: An alchemical belief held that sunlight can change minerals into jewels or gold.
68. tinctures: Spiritual qualities infused into material things; also spots or stains.
70. use: Employment; function; habit, custom; employment or maintenance for sexual purposes.
76. bewray: Reveal.
86. pretend: Aspire.
89. Cupid: The god of love, now wearing Somerset’s livery.
91. that breast: Somerset, now a nobleman whose servants wear livery.
104. since: Until.
dead and buried: See l. 97.
113. largest circle: During the summer solstice.
116. Promethean: In Greek myth, Prometheus stole fire from heaven and gave it to man.
123–4. Be tried … a man: Referring to the groom’s androgynous beauty.
125. manly courage: Conventionally masculine bravery; also sexual desire.
126. unjust opinion: Referring to the scandal their marriage caused.
148. Phoebus … Phaëton: Phaeton, the son of the sun god Phoebus/Apollo, drove his father’s sun chariot so carelessly that he nearly burned the earth.
157. the fruits of worms and dust: Silk and gold.
169. the Church Triumphant: The portion of the Church that has entered into glory.
170. the Militant: The Church Militant, the earthly Church, still battling sin and evil.
175. never sing: Swans were thought to sing only once, just before death.
183. overthwart: Hinder, oppose; also pervert.
184. west: Decline.
