Holy Sonnet Iii: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again

John Donne

O might those sighs and tears return again
Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,
That I might in this holy discontent
Mourn with some fruit, as I have mourned in vain;
In mine Idolatry what showers of rain
Mine eyes did waste! what griefs my heart did rent!
That sufferance was my sin; now I repent;
‘Cause I did suffer I must suffer pain.
Th’ hydropic drunkard, and night-scouting thief,
The itchy lecher, and self-tickling proud
Have the remembrance of past joys for relief
Of comming ills. To (poor) me is allowed
No ease; for long, yet vehement grief hath been
Th’ effect and cause, the punishment and sin.

Next 10 Poems

• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Iv: Oh My Black Soul! Now Art Thou Summoned
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Ix: If Poisonous Minerals, And If That Tree
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet V: I Am A Little World Made Cunningly
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Vi: This Is My Play's Last Scene, Here Heavens Appoint
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Vii: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Viii: If Faithful Souls Be Alike Glorified
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet X
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet X: Death Be Not Proud
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xi: Spit In My Face You Jews, And Pierce My Side
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xii: Why Are We By All Creatures Waited On?

Previous 10 Poems

• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Ii: As Due By Many Titles I Resign
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet I: Tho Has Made Me
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet ?
• John Donne : Good-morrow, The
• John Donne : Go And Catach A Falling Star
• John Donne : Funeral, The
• John Donne : For Whom The Bell Tolls
• John Donne : Elegy Xviii: Love's Progress
• John Donne : Elegy Xvi: On His Mistress
• John Donne : Elegy X: The Dream