The Undertaking - John Donne
/The Undertaking - John Donne/
A Secret Valor That Outshines All Deeds
Original (English): I have done one braver thing
English: I have done one braver thing
Original (English): Than all the Worthies did,
English: Than all the Worthies did,
Original (English): And yet a braver thence doth spring,
English: And yet a braver thence doth spring,
Original (English): Which is, to keep that hid.
English: Which is, to keep that hid.
Original (English): It were but madness now t' impart
English: It were but madness now t' impart
Original (English): The skill of specular stone,
English: The skill of specular stone,
Original (English): When he, which can have learn'd the art
English: When he, which can have learn'd the art
Original (English): To cut it, can find none.
English: To cut it, can find none.
Original (English): So, if I now should utter this,
English: So, if I now should utter this,
Original (English): Others (because no more
English: Others (because no more
Original (English): Such stuff to work upon, there is)
English: Such stuff to work upon, there is)
Original (English): Would love but as before.
English: Would love but as before.
Original (English): But he who loveliness within
English: But he who loveliness within
Original (English): Hath found, all outward loathes,
English: Hath found, all outward loathes,
Original (English): For he who color loves, and skin,
English: For he who color loves, and skin,
Original (English): Loves but their oldest clothes.
English: Loves but their oldest clothes.
Original (English): If, as I have, you also do
English: If, as I have, you also do
Original (English): Virtue attir'd in woman see,
English: Virtue attir'd in woman see,
Original (English): And dare love that, and say so too,
English: And dare love that, and say so too,
Original (English): And forget the He and She;
English: And forget the He and She;
Original (English): And if this love, though plac'd so,
English: And if this love, though plac'd so,
Original (English): From prophane men you hide,
English: From prophane men you hide,
Original (English): Which will no faith on this bestow,
English: Which will no faith on this bestow,
Original (English): Or, if they do, deride;
English: Or, if they do, deride;
Original (English): Then you have done a braver thing
English: Then you have done a braver thing
Original (English): Than all the Worthies did;
English: Than all the Worthies did;
Original (English): And a braver thence will spring,
English: And a braver thence will spring,
Original (English): Which is, to keep that hid.
English: Which is, to keep that hid.
In “The Undertaking,” John Donne contends that the bravest act one can accomplish is not a visible deed, but rather the decision to guard a profound, inward truth—particularly the truth that authentic love transcends external appearance. Donne frames this hidden knowledge as rarer and more valuable than heroic feats celebrated by history.
He begins by claiming he has done something more courageous than “all the Worthies” (a reference to legendary heroes) and yet suggests there’s still something even braver: preserving that secret rather than boasting about it. By withholding the specifics of his feat, he keeps its power uncorrupted by public scrutiny. Donne further illustrates his argument with the metaphor of “specular stone,” implying that if everyone knew how to craft such a refined beauty, its uniqueness would be lost.
Central to the poem is the discovery of “loveliness within.” Donne insists that someone who recognizes and loves true virtue in another person, stripped of superficial qualities (like physical beauty or “color and skin”), has accessed a level of relationship that most will never comprehend. Yet, sharing this sacred knowledge too freely risks diluting or mocking its essence.
Through this metaphysical lens, Donne elevates the private and intangible aspects of love to the highest honor. Rather than glorifying external charms, the poem praises spiritual worth and moral character. The final lines reaffirm that the bravest deed lies in cherishing virtue in secret, suggesting that authentic devotion requires neither external validation nor the applause of the world. Ultimately, “The Undertaking” posits that true greatness exists in the depths of one’s capacity for discerning and protecting the hidden strengths of the beloved—and in quietly treasuring them without pride or display.
Key points
1) The noblest act can sometimes be to keep a virtue hidden from public display. 2) Genuine love values inner character over mere outward beauty. 3) Sharing sacred truths indiscriminately risks diminishing their power. 4) Donne’s poem underscores that quiet devotion can outshine grand external deeds.
