Goodfriday 1613 Riding Westward - John Donne
/Goodfriday 1613 Riding Westward - John Donne/
Reflections on Christ’s Sacrifice and Human Devotion
Original (English): Let mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,
English: Let mans Soule be a Spheare, and then, in this,
Original (English): The intelligence that moves, devotion is,
English: The intelligence that moves, devotion is,
Original (English): And as the other Spheares, by being growne
English: And as the other Spheares, by being growne
Original (English): Subject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,
English: Subject to forraigne motions, lose their owne,
Original (English): And being by others hurried every day,
English: And being by others hurried every day,
Original (English): Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:
English: Scarce in a yeare their naturall forme obey:
Original (English): Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admit
English: Pleasure or businesse, so, our Soules admit
Original (English): For their first mover, and are whirld by it.
English: For their first mover, and are whirld by it.
Original (English): Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West
English: Hence is't, that I am carryed towards the West
Original (English): This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East.
English: This day, when my Soules forme bends toward the East.
Original (English): There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,
English: There I should see a Sunne, by rising set,
Original (English): And by that setting endlesse day beget;
English: And by that setting endlesse day beget;
Original (English): But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,
English: But that Christ on this Crosse, did rise and fall,
Original (English): Sinne had eternall warrant, and Mankinde had all.
English: Sinne had eternall warrant, and Mankinde had all.
Original (English): Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not see
English: Yet dare I'almost be glad, I do not see
Original (English): That spectacle of too much weight for mee.
English: That spectacle of too much weight for mee.
Original (English): Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;
English: Who sees Gods face, that is selfe life, must dye;
Original (English): What a death were it then to see God dye?
English: What a death were it then to see God dye?
Original (English): It made his own Lieutenant Nature shrinke,
English: It made his own Lieutenant Nature shrinke,
Original (English): It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke.
English: It made his footstoole crack, and the Sunne winke.
Original (English): Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,
English: Could I behold those hands which span the Poles,
Original (English): And tune all spheares at once, pierc'd with those holes?
English: And tune all spheares at once, pierc'd with those holes?
Original (English): Could I behold that endlesse height which is
English: Could I behold that endlesse height which is
Original (English): Zenith to us, and our Antipodes,
English: Zenith to us, and our Antipodes,
Original (English): Humbled below us? or that blood which is
English: Humbled below us? or that blood which is
Original (English): The seat of all our Soules, if not of his,
English: The seat of all our Soules, if not of his,
Original (English): Make dust of dust, or that flesh which was worne
English: Make dust of dust, or that flesh which was worne
Original (English): By God, for his apparel, rag'd, and torne?
English: By God, for his apparel, rag'd, and torne?
Original (English): If on these things I durst not looke, durst I
English: If on these things I durst not looke, durst I
Original (English): Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye,
English: Upon his miserable mother cast mine eye,
Original (English): Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thus
English: Who was Gods partner here, and furnish'd thus
Original (English): Halfe of that Sacrifice, which ransomm'd us?
English: Halfe of that Sacrifice, which ransomm'd us?
Original (English): Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,
English: Though these things, as I ride, be from mine eye,
Original (English): They'are present yet unto my memory,
English: They'are present yet unto my memory,
Original (English): For that looks towards them; and thou lookst towards mee,
English: For that looks towards them; and thou lookst towards mee,
Original (English): O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;
English: O Saviour, as thou hang'st upon the tree;
Original (English): I turne my back to thee, but to receive
English: I turne my back to thee, but to receive
Original (English): Corrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.
English: Corrections, till thy mercies bid thee leave.
Original (English): O thinke me worth thine anger, punish mee,
English: O thinke me worth thine anger, punish mee,
Original (English): Burne off my rusts, and my deformity,
English: Burne off my rusts, and my deformity,
Original (English): Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,
English: Restore thine Image, so much, by thy grace,
Original (English): That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.
English: That thou may'st know mee, and I'll turne my face.
In “Goodfriday, 1613. Riding Westward,” John Donne contemplates the tension between worldly obligations and spiritual devotion. While physically heading west on Good Friday, his mind and soul are instinctively drawn to the east, where the crucifixion of Christ is traditionally commemorated. Donne uses cosmic imagery—referring to spinning spheres and celestial motions—to illustrate how our human preoccupations often pull us away from our spiritual center.
He wrestles with the paradox of wanting to gaze upon Christ’s suffering while feeling unworthy or even unable to bear the weight of that vision. Observing the crucifixion directly, he posits, would be an overwhelming experience, akin to looking upon the face of God. Donne emphasizes that even nature was shaken by Christ’s death—the sun dimmed, the earth quaked. This awe is a testament not only to the power of God but also to the profound significance of the event for humanity.
Although Donne acknowledges his distance from Christ (both in body and spirit), he understands that God watches over him even when he is turned away. He invites divine correction, urging God to cleanse him of sin. The poem closes by expressing hope for transformation, so that God will recognize Donne’s soul once it has been refined by grace.
Ultimately, the poem explores the dualities of presence and absence, devotion and distraction, and the almost unbearable weight of divine encounter. Donne’s intricate conceits reveal the depth of his theological convictions and highlight his signature metaphysical style: an interplay of cosmic scale, emotional intensity, and profound spiritual yearning. Within this framework, “Goodfriday, 1613. Riding Westward” underscores humanity’s perpetual struggle to align earthly pursuits with sacred obligations.
Key points
1) Earthly distractions can easily draw us away from our spiritual focal point. 2) Truly beholding divine sacrifice is a humbling and even overwhelming experience. 3) Faith involves both awe for God’s power and a willingness to be refined by His judgment. 4) Spiritual growth emerges from the interplay of reflection, repentance, and divine grace.