| Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921. |
| |
| John Donne |
| |
| 72. "Death be not proud, though some have called thee" |
| |
| DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee | |
| Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so, | |
| For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow, | |
| Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me. | |
| From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, | 5 |
| Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow, | |
| And soonest our best men with thee doe goe, | |
| Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie. | |
| Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men, | |
| And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell, | 10 |
| And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well, | |
| And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then; | |
| One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally, | |
| And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die. | |
| |
|
|
