Holy Sonnet Xiii: What If This Present Were The World's Last Night?

John Donne

What if this present were the world’s last night?
Mark in my heart, O soul, where thou dost dwell,
The picture of Christ crucified, and tell
Whether that countenance can thee affright,
Tears in his eyes quench the amazing light,
Blood fills his frowns, which from his pierced head fell.
And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,
Which prayed forgiveness for his foes’ fierce spite?
No, no; but as in my idolatry
I said to all my profane mistresses,
Beauty, of pity, foulness only is
A sign of rigour: so I say to thee,
To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assigned,
This beauteous form assures a piteous mind.

Next 10 Poems

• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xiv
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xiv: Batter My Heart, Three-personed God
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xix: Oh, To Vex Me, Contraries Meet In One
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xv: Wilt Thou Love God, As He Thee? Then Digest
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xvi: Father, Part Of His Double Interest
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xvii: Since She Whom I Loved
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xviii: Show Me, Dear Christ, Thy Spouse, So Bright And Clear
• John Donne : Holy Sonnets: Since She Whom I Lov'd Hath Paid Her Last Debt
• John Donne : Hym To God, My God In My Sickness
• John Donne : Indifferent, The

Previous 10 Poems

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