by John Donne
Text note: Copy-text, Letters to Severall Persons, 1651
To Sir H[enry] Good[y]ere (‘Every Tuesday I make account’)
3. watch: Period of waking or watchfulness; act of watching or observing.
9. manufactures: Articles made by hand.
9. ought: Owed.
11. husband: Cultivate; administer.
13. cozen: Cheat; deceive, dupe.
21. inhiation: Great desire.
46–7. wens and excrescences: Lumps or protuberances on the body.
52. hydroptic: Hydropic, dropsical; having an insatiable thirst.
67. leads: Strips of lead used to cover a roof.
69. allegrement: In a lively manner, briskly, gaily.
Text notes: Copy-text, Letters to Severall Persons, 1651; 56 employ ed.] employed 1651
To Sir H[enry] G[oodyere] (‘It should be no interruption to your pleasures’)
5. new astronomy: Copernican theory that the earth revolves around the sun, as opposed to the older Ptolemaic theory that the sun revolves around the earth.
7. no whither: Nowhere.
13. postern: Back or side door; private entrance.
21. lucidis: (Latin) ‘Lucid moments’.
38. tincture: Colouring.
43. consideration: Observation, attentive thought, reflection, meditation.
47. Michin: Micham, where Donne lived with his family after his marriage.
49. quelques choses: Assorted items.
59. progress: State procession in which the monarch and court journeyed to the country.
62. ineffable: Inexpressible.
Text note: Copy-text, Letters to Severall Persons, 1651
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions
4. Meditation
38. Hercules: Hero in Greek mythology famous for his strength.
48. drugger: Dispenser of drugs.
49. simples: Herbs or plants used as medicine.
17. Meditation
8. engrafted: Grafted in; set firmly in.
25. aright: Correctly, properly; straightway; exactly, just.
49. bullion: Precious metal in the mass; gold or silver in the lump.
19. Expostulation
25. Hierome and Augustine: The fourth- and fifth-century theologians St Jerome and St Augustine, author of The City of God and The Confessions, exchanged letters about Jerome’s translation of the Bible, the first to be made from Hebrew rather than Greek sources.
34. old law: Old Testament.
38–9. New Jerusalem: Heavenly city of God mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
Text note: Copy-text, 1632
Death’s Duel, selections
2. buttresses: Structures built against the side of a building to strengthen it.
3. contignations: Joining or framing of beams and boards.
60. redintegration: Renewal, restoration.
66. vermiculation: Eaten by worms.
Text note: Copy-text, 1632
APPENDIX: MEMORIAL VERSES
To the Deceased Author, upon the Promiscuous Printing of His Poems, the Looser Sort, with the Religious
By [Sir] Tho[mas] Browne
Probably written by the Reverend Thomas Browne (1604–73) rather than the more famous Dr Thomas Browne who wrote Religio Medici.
3. Tuning: To adapt or respond to a particular tone or expression feeling.
15. envy: Grudge, or regard with dislike or disapproval.
16. buy: Make a sacrifice of; pay the penalty of.
Text note: This poem, printed in 1633, was not included in 1635 and other early editions of Donne’s poems.
To the Memory of My Ever Desired Friend Dr Donne
By H[enry] K[ing]
King (1592–1669).
8. hatchments: Tablets exhibiting the armorial bearings of a deceased person.
hearse: Elaborate framework used at funerals to hold a large number of lighted tapers and other decorations over the coffin of a distinguished person.
18. dower: Portion of a deceased husband’s estate given by law to his widow.
21. empirics: Empiricists; quacks.
35. knell: Bell announcing a person’s death.
50. defray: Pay for.
56. Depute: Assign.
Text notes: Copy-text, Death’s Duel, 1632. title To the Memory of My Ever Desired Friend Dr Donne 1632] An Elegy, on Dr Donne, Dean of St Paul’s 1633; 8 with 1632] like 1633; 14 there 1632] here 1633
On the Death of Dr Donne
By Edw[ard] Hyde
Probably the Edward Hyde (1609–74) who later became 1st Earl of Clarendon.
2. knell: Bell announcing a person’s death.
4. but: Except.
Text notes: Copy-text, Death’s Duel, 1632. 6 pens 1632] tongues 1633; 6 there’s not one 1632] there is not 1633
On Doctor Donne
By Dr C. B. of O.
Probably Dr Richard Corbett (1582–1635), dean of Christ Church and later bishop of Oxford.
6. keep the gallants: Hold the attention of the finest gentlemen.
9. Divinity: An object of adoration, an adorable being.
12. parts: Personal quality or attribute, especially of an intellectual kind; ability, gift or talent.
14. Maecenas: A generous patron of literature and art.
An Elegy upon the Incomparable Dr Donne
By Hen[ry] Valentine
Valentine died in 1643.
20. dean: Head of a cathedral church.
25. vermiculate: Become worm-eaten.
33. that philosopher: Titus Lucretius Carus (c. 99–c. 55 BC), Roman poet and atomist philosopher.
38. sith: Subsequently, so.
39. concentred: Concentrated, brought to a common centre.
An Elegy upon Dr Donne
By Iz[aak] Wa[lton]
Walton (1593–1683), author of The Life of Donne.
44. Prudentius: Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (348–c. 410), a Christian Latin poet and author of ‘Psychomachia’.
70. David’s seventy: The biblical King David died at seventy.
Elegy on D. D.
By Sidney Godolphin
Godolphin (1610–43).
Text note: Copy-text, 1635
On Dr John Donne, Late Dean of St Paul’s, London
By J[ohn] Chudleigh
Chudleigh (1606–34?).
50. gust: Taste.
75. forewind: Favourable wind.
Text note: Copy-text, 1635
An Elegy upon the Death of the Dean of Paul’s, Dr John Donne
By Mr Tho[mas] Carey
Carey (1594–1640).
5. unscissored: Perhaps uncircumcised.
13. uses: Rituals and liturgy.
frame: Produce; compose.
14. lectures: Informal sermons, often given by lecturers, or preachers chosen to give afternoon or evening lectures.
17. rapes: Taking something by force; sexual violation or assault.
22. Delphic choir: Delphic oracle on Mt Parnassus, sacred to Apollo.
23. Promethean: Creative or audacious, like the Titan Prometheus who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals.
32. Anacreon’s: Greek lyric poet noted most for his drinking songs and hymns.
33. Pindar’s: Greek lyric poet.
54. cull: Gather or pick.
70. apostasy: Abandonment of one’s religious faith or moral beliefs.
87. engross: To write in large letters; name in a formal document; attribute exclusively to.
97. flamens:Priests devoted to the service of a specific deity.
An Elegy on Dr Donne
By Sir Lucius Carie
Carie (1610?–1643) became the 2nd Viscount Falkland in 1633.
3. coats: Coats of arms.
pennons: Triangular flags usually attached to the head of a lance or helmet.
11. liegers: Vassals, dependants; military forces engaged in a siege.
14. Scythian’s: Refers to nomads from an ancient region covering much of Europe and part of Asiatic
Russia.
59. chaff: The husks of grains and grasses that are separated during threshing.
74. Argive Helen’s: Helen of Troy (Argive = Greek in Homer).
Text note: 28 Tells modern editors] Tell 1633
On Dr Donne’s Death
By Mr Mayne of Christ-Church in Oxford
Jaspar Mayne (1604–72) received his MA, BD and DD from Christ Church.
4. thy Anniverse: Donne’s poems ‘The First Anniversary’ and ‘The Second Anniversary’, written to commemorate the death of Elizabeth Drury.
20. careless: Arranged or said without art.
26. rack: Something that causes acute physical or mental suffering.
37. suburb: Debased.
42. Ennius: Quintus Ennius (239–169 BC), founder of Roman literature.
69. glass: Hourglass.
Text notes: 26 paleness 1635] paleless 1633
Upon Mr J. Donne and his Poems
By Arth[ur] Wilson
Wilson (1595–1652).
7. palsy: Paralysis.
31. deck: Array, adorn.
50. dross: Worthless matter thrown off from metals during melting.
54. panegyric: Publicly or elaborately expressing praise or commendation; eulogistic.
Epitaph upon Dr Donne
By Endy[mion] Porter
Porter (1587–1649).
1. decent: Appropriate rank or dignity; tasteful, comely.
6. never let … ease: Never let us ease our sorrows.
In Memory of Doctor Donne
By Mr R. B.
23. magazine: Storehouse.
29. fain: Rejoice.
30. Golden Chrysostom: St John Chrysostom, an early Greek christian theologian famed for his golden-tongued preaching.
41. strong lined man: Donne was criticized for his irregular metre.
macaroon: Buffoon, dolt.
42. clouted shoon: Patched shoes; another allusion to Donne’s patchy metrical feet.
45. beetles: Scowling men with brows like beetles.
60. clerks: Clerics, clergymen.
71-2. Southampton … Bedford’s Countesses: English aristocrats praised in Donne’s poetry.
74. decem: Latin prefix meaning ten.
86. doughty: Capable, virtuous, valiant.
90. Probatum esset: (Latin) ‘It would be proved.’
Epitaph (‘Here lies Dean Donne’)
The author is unknown.
1. Dean: Head of the chapter or body of a collegiate or cathedral church.
4. walkers: Visitors.
to speak him: To speak well of him.
7-8. unto a sun … turned: Possible reference to the way one’s eyes look after death or, perhaps, to the eyes of his admirers.
Chronology
1572 Born between 24 January and 19 June, son of John and Elizabeth Donne.
1576 Father dies; mother marries Dr John Symmings.
1584 Matriculates at Hart Hall (later part of Hertford College), Oxford.
Anne More born, 27 May.
1585 Probably travels to the Continent with Henry Stanley, Earl of Derby.
1588 Stepfather dies.
Defeat of Spanish Armada.
1589 Probably travels abroad.
1590–91 Mother marries Richard Rainsford.
1592 Studies law at Lincoln’s Inn until 1595 or 1596.
Writes and circulates elegies, satires and some Songs and Sonnets.
1593 Master of the Revels at Lincoln’s Inn.
Receives part of his inheritance.
Brother Henry dies in Newgate Prison after being incarcerated for making confession to a Catholic priest.
1594 Receives further share of his and Henry’s inheritance.
1596 Joins the Earl of Essex’s military expedition to Cadiz, on the southern tip of Spain.
1597 Participates in Essex’s military expedition to the Azores Islands.
Writes ‘The Storm’ and ‘The Calm’.
Enters service of Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.
Elizabeth Wolley marries Egerton, and brings her niece, Anne More, to York House, Egerton’s London mansion.
1600 Lady Egerton dies, 20 January.
1601 Member of Parliament for Brackley, Northampton.
Acquires lease to his cousin John Heywood’s lands until 1605.
Writes ‘Metempsychosis’ (dated August 1601).
Secretly marries Anne More shortly before Christmas.
1602 Reveals his marriage, imprisoned briefly in Fleet Street Prison and dismissed from Egerton’s service.
Marriage declared legal by the Court of Audience, Canterbury, 27 April.
Moves to Pyrford, near Guildford in Surrey, home of Anne’s cousin Francis Wolley.
1603 First child, Constance, born.
Death of Queen Elizabeth; accession of James I (James VI of Scotland).
1604 Second child, John, born.
1605 Travels to France and Italy.
Third child, George, born.
1606 Returns to England; moves family to Mitcham in Surrey.
Around this time begins to receive £20 a quarter from Anne’s father, Sir George More.
1607 Fourth child, Francis, born.
Takes lodging in the Strand, London.
Prefatory Latin poem published in Ben Jonson’s Volpone.
1608 Makes frequent visits to Lucy, Countess of Bedford at Twickenham.
Fifth child, Lucy, born.
Seriously ill.
Writes Biathanatos.
1609 Sixth child, Bridget, born.
‘The Expiration’ published in Alfonso Ferrabosco the Younger’s Airs.
1610 Publishes Pseudo-Martyr, a prose treatise arguing that English Catholics should take the Oath of Supremacy, and that those who refused should not be considered martyrs.
Receives honorary MA from Oxford University.
1611 Seventh child, Mary, born.
Ignatius his Conclave published in both Latin and English.
An Anatomy of the World (‘The First Anniversary’) published.
Accompanies Sir Robert Drury to France and the Netherlands; Anne and children remain on the Isle of Wight.
1612 During his absence, eighth child stillborn.
Returns to England; moves family to lodgings in London provided by Sir Robert Drury.
The First and Second Anniversaries published.
‘Break of Day’ published in William Corkine’s Second Book of Airs.
1613 Ninth child, Nicholas, born; dies within a year.
Elegy on Prince Henry published in the third edition of Joshua Sylvester’s Lachrymae Lachrymarum.
1614 Daughter Mary and son Francis die.
Member of Parliament for Taunton, Somerset.
1615 Tenth child, Margaret, born.
Takes Anglican Orders, becomes deacon and priest at St Paul’s Cathedral, London.
Appointed Royal Chaplain.
Made honorary Doctor of Divinity by Cambridge University.
Begins writing Essays in Divinity.
1616 Eleventh child, Elizabeth, born.
Vicar at Keyston, Huntingdon, and Sevenoaks, Kent.
Reader in Divinity at Lincoln’s Inn.
George More’s quarterly payments end around this time.
1617 Anne Donne dies, 15 August, seven days after the stillbirth of their twelfth child.
Writes Latin epitaph and ‘Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt’ (‘Holy Sonnet 17 (XVII)’).
1619 Serves as chaplain to Viscount Doncaster’s embassy to Germany.
Writes ‘A Hymn to Christ, at the Author’s Last Going into Germany’.
1621 Becomes dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, 22 November.
Second edition of The Anniversaries.
1622 Rector of Blunham, Bedfordshire.
Justice of the Peace for Kent and Bedford.
Begins publishing sermons.
Honorary member of the Virginia Company, a joint-stock corporation, formed in 1606 with a
charter from King James I, to settle Virginia.
1623 Gravely ill, writes Devotions upon Emergent Occasions.
1624 Devotions published.
Becomes vicar of St Dunstan’s-in-the-West, London.
1625 Death of James I; Charles I succeeds.
1627 Daughter Lucy dies.
1630 Mortally ill, writes his will.
1631 Dies on 31 March, survived by six children.
Buried at St Paul’s Cathedral, 3 April.
1632 Death’s Duel published.
1633 First edition of Donne’s poems published.
1635 Second edition of Donne’s poems published.
Acknowledgements
First of all, I want to thank Christopher Ricks for asking me to edit John Donne: Selected Poems, and for then asking me to expand it for this edition of Donne’s complete English poems. Years of teaching and writing brought me very close to Donne; editing brought me even closer. Working so closely with Donne’s writing for so many years, considering every word and every punctuation mark, has been an even greater joy than I could have imagined.
Donne has been blessed with superb modern editors. From the texts to the annotations, this edition is everywhere indebted to their labours, knowledge and judgement.
Thanks to Williams College and the Mellon Foundation, I have had a number of outstanding editorial assistants. Eliza Segell, Elizabeth DiMenno and Margaret Gilmore worked with me on John Donne: Selected Poems. Samantha Barbaro, Alexander Creighton, Andrew Nguyen and Amy Nolan picked up where they left off. Their contributions have been indispensable at every stage of the process. For their remarkable critical intelligence, their careful attention to every word, their indefatigable labours and constant good cheer, even when I said yet again, ‘Thou hast not done, / For I have more’, I owe each one of them a great, great debt.
Amanda Bell, Robert Bell, Zelda Bradburd, Elizabeth DiMenno, Dennis Flynn, Margaret Gilmore, M. Thomas Hester, Judith Isaacson, Christopher Pye, Lawrence Raab and the Fellows at the Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences made invaluable suggestions on the introduction.
I am indebted to M. Thomas Hester for allowing me to use his wonderful Latin translation of Donne’s epitaph on Anne More, to Dennis Flynn for sharing his vast knowledge of Donne’s life, to Ernest Sullivan and Gary Stringer for information about the text, and to Edan Deckel and Meredith Hoppin for responding to my queries about Donne’s use of Latin and the classics.
The librarians at Sawyer Library could not have been more responsive to my requests. Robert L. Volz, Wayne G. Hammond and Elaine Yanow were extremely helpful in enabling me to take full advantage of Chapin Library’s remarkable rare book collection, with its two fine copies of the 1633 Donne.
