Songs and Sonnets

John Donne (1573-1631) is considered by many to be the finest poet of the Elizabeth Age after Shakespeare.

Ironically, poetry was not Donne's dominant preoccupation. In his own day, he was better known as a scholar, and, in later life, a clergyman. His verse was composed sporadically and in an offhand fashion and appears not to have been subjected to revision. In spite of occasional solecisms, his poetic verbiage is vigorous and compelling and marked by a striking use of imagery.

Most of these verses were composed in Donne's earlier years, before his adoption of religious life. Accordingly, a much-discussed subject is love, both sacred and profane.

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