Holy Sonnet 17 - John Donne
/Holy Sonnet 17 - John Donne/
Reflections on Love, Loss, and Spiritual Devotion
Original (English): Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt
English: Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt
Original (English): To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
English: To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead,
Original (English): And her soul early into heaven ravished,
English: And her soul early into heaven ravished,
Original (English): Wholly on heavenly things my mind is set.
English: Wholly on heavenly things my mind is set.
Original (English): Here the admiring her my mind did whet
English: Here the admiring her my mind did whet
Original (English): To seek thee, God; so streams do show the head;
English: To seek thee, God; so streams do show the head;
Original (English): But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
English: But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed,
Original (English): A holy thirsty dropsy melts me yet.
English: A holy thirsty dropsy melts me yet.
Original (English): But why should I beg more love, whenas thou
English: But why should I beg more love, whenas thou
Original (English): Dost woo my soul for hers, offering all thine:
English: Dost woo my soul for hers, offering all thine:
Original (English): And dost not only fear lest I allow
English: And dost not only fear lest I allow
Original (English): My love to saints and angels, things divine,
English: My love to saints and angels, things divine,
Original (English): But in thy tender jealousy dost doubt
English: But in thy tender jealousy dost doubt
Original (English): Lest the world, flesh, yea devil put thee out.
English: Lest the world, flesh, yea devil put thee out.
In “Holy Sonnet 17,” John Donne grieves the loss of a beloved figure—likely his wife—but also discovers a deepened commitment to God in the process. At first, the speaker mourns her passing, recognizing how her death not only fulfills her natural obligations but also leads him to reevaluate his own spiritual stance. As the poem unfolds, Donne expresses that his love, once wholly devoted to her, is now turning heavenward. In the midst of sorrow, the poet gains clarity and understanding of divine love. However, Donne also wrestles with the notion of whether he should ask God for greater love when God already bestows so much. There is an underlying tension: Donne worries about misplacing his devotion and whether worldly distractions could overwhelm his newfound faith. Ultimately, “Holy Sonnet 17” reveals a journey from earthly attachment to spiritual devotion. In Donne’s characteristic style, the poem deftly ties personal grief to larger religious concerns, underscoring that love can transcend loss by finding its source in the divine. Though the path to acceptance is fraught with doubt, Donne suggests that true consolation lies in embracing God’s presence and choosing faith over despair.
Key points
1) Grief can lead us toward deeper spiritual understanding. 2) Earthly love, while beautiful, can inspire a renewed focus on the divine. 3) Even in faith, doubts and fears remain natural. 4) Ultimately, devotion and trust in a higher power offer solace and guidance.