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1572-1631
Holy Sonnet XIV
1 Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
2 As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
3 That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
4 Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
5 I, like an usurp'd town to'another due,
6 Labor to'admit you, but oh, to no end;
7 Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
8 But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
9 Yet dearly'I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
10 But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
11 Divorce me,'untie or break that knot again,
12 Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
13 Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free,
14 Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
John Donne wrote "Holy Sonnet XIV" in order to command God's assistance. The speaker, John Donne, is internally at war with God and Lucifer. The choice, choosing God or choosing the devil, will determine the outcome of his afterlife. Such a decision needs help and Donne wants God to make it for him. The first four lines compare God to a potter: "break", "blow", "shine", and "burn"; these words describe actions of a potter. This conceit shows how the speaker expects God to "mend" him. The second quatrain contains the second conceit, line five. Donne compares himself to an "usurped town", in other words, being taken over by Satan leaves him weak and powerless. The third quatrain and final conceit describe the love felt by Donne towards God, but to no avail he is still "betrothed" to God's "enemy." The comparison between marriage and God introduces the reader to sexual imagery felt by Donne. The phrase "imprison me" reveals the fantasy of God taking him and his decision like a forceful lover takes his virginal bride. This erotic parody continues through lines thirteen and fourteen. The words "enthrall" and "chaste" convey the overwhelming seduction of both good and evil. Line fourteen concludes the sonnet with "ravish me." This confirms Donne's desire to be taken by force. The three conceits, and the paradox show the reader why and how Donne yearns for a settlement between the raging combat inside his spirit.
John Donne Links
Island of Freedom
The Works of John Donne
Selected Poetry of John Donne
