Holy Sonnet 1 - John Donne
/Holy Sonnet 1 - John Donne/
Seeking God’s Mercy in the Shadow of Mortality
Original (English): Thou hast made me, and shall Thy work decay?
English: Thou hast made me, and shall Thy work decay?
Original (English): Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste;
English: Repair me now, for now mine end doth haste;
Original (English): I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
English: I run to death, and death meets me as fast,
Original (English): And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
English: And all my pleasures are like yesterday;
Original (English): I dare not move my dim eyes any way,
English: I dare not move my dim eyes any way,
Original (English): Despair behind, and death before doth cast
English: Despair behind, and death before doth cast
Original (English): Such terror, and my feeble flesh doth waste
English: Such terror, and my feeble flesh doth waste
Original (English): By sin in it, which it towards hell doth weigh;
English: By sin in it, which it towards hell doth weigh;
Original (English): Only thou art above, and when towards thee
English: Only thou art above, and when towards thee
Original (English): By thy leave I can look, I rise again;
English: By thy leave I can look, I rise again;
Original (English): But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
English: But our old subtle foe so tempteth me,
Original (English): That not one hour myself I can sustain;
English: That not one hour myself I can sustain;
Original (English): Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,
English: Thy grace may wing me to prevent his art,
Original (English): And thou like adamant draw mine iron heart.
English: And thou like adamant draw mine iron heart.
In “Holy Sonnet 1,” John Donne pleads for God’s help, fearing both physical and spiritual decline. The speaker recognizes God as his creator, worried that what God has made could fall into ruin if grace is not swiftly granted. The poem highlights humanity’s mortal vulnerability: Donne acknowledges running toward death and grappling with the guilt of sins that drag him toward despair. Behind him lurks his past transgressions; in front of him awaits the inevitability of death. Yet, in the center of this existential dread, Donne looks upward for salvation. He suggests that only by turning fully to God can he rise above the weight of sin.
The poem also underscores the relentless nature of temptation and the fragility of human will. Donne observes that even a moment of weakness can undermine spiritual resolve. Such fears are assuaged only by divine grace, which he likens to wings enabling him to soar beyond evil’s reach. The final image of God as “adamant” pulling his heart of iron reveals both the strength of the divine pull and the hardness of the human soul. Ultimately, Donne’s poem is a passionate entreaty, asking God to overcome human frailty with steadfast love.
Key points
1) Recognize human imperfection and the need for divine grace. 2) Despair and death loom, but faith offers hope. 3) Inner weakness can be redeemed through sincere spiritual devotion. 4) God’s unwavering power draws believers out of sin and into salvation.
