Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE UNDERTAKING, by JOHN DONNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I have done one braver thing Last Line: Which is, to keep that hid. | ||||||||
I have done one braver thing Than all the Worthies did, And yet a braver thence doth spring. Which is, to keep that hid. It were but madness now t' impart The skill of s[ecular stone, When he which can have learned the art To cut it, can find none. So, if I now should utter this, Others (because no more Such stuff to work upon, there is,) Would love but as before. But he who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes, For he who colour loves, and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes. If, as I have, you also do Virtue attited in woman see, And dare love that, and say so too, And forget the He and She; And if this love, though placed so, From profane men you hide, Which will no faith on this bestow, Or, if they do, deride: Then you have done a braver thing Than all the Worthies did, And a braver thence will spring, Which is, to keep that hid. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A HYMN TO CHRIST, AT THE AUTHOR'S LAST GOING INTO GERMANY by JOHN DONNE A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER by JOHN DONNE A LECTURE UPON THE SHADOW by JOHN DONNE A NOCTURNAL UPON ST. LUCY'S DAY, BEING THE SHORTEST DAY by JOHN DONNE A VALEDICTION: FORBIDDING MOURNING by JOHN DONNE A VALEDICTION: OF MY NAME IN THE WINDOW by JOHN DONNE A VALEDICTION: OF THE BOOKE by JOHN DONNE A VALEDICTION: OF WEEPING by JOHN DONNE AN ANATOMY OF THE WORLD: THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY by JOHN DONNE ELEGY: 11. THE BRACELET; UPON THE LOSS OF HIS MISTRESS'S CHAIN by JOHN DONNE |
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