Negative Love

John Donne

I never stoop’d so low, as they
Which on an eye, cheeke, lip, can prey,
Seldom to them, which soare no higher
Than vertue or the minde to’admire,
For sense, and understanding may
Know, what gives fuell to their fire:
My love, though silly, is more brave,
For may I misse, when ere I crave,
If I know yet, what I would have.

If that be simply perfectest
Which can by no way be exprest
But Negatives, my love is so.
To All, which all love, I say no.
If any who deciphers best,
What we know not, our selves, can know,
Let him teach mee that nothing; This
As yet my ease, and comfort is,
Though I speed not, I cannot misse.

Next 10 Poems

• John Donne : On The Progress Of The Soul...
• John Donne : Relic, The
• John Donne : Satire Iii
• John Donne : Self-love
• John Donne : Song ( Go And Catch A Falling Star )
• John Donne : Sun Rising, The
• John Donne : Sweetest Love, I Do Not Go
• John Donne : That Time And Absence Proves Rather Helps Than Hurts To Loves
• John Donne : The Apparition
• John Donne : The Bait

Previous 10 Poems

• John Donne : Nativity
• John Donne : Love's Usury
• John Donne : Loves' Infiniteness
• John Donne : Love's Deity
• John Donne : Love's Alchemy
• John Donne : Indifferent, The
• John Donne : Hym To God, My God In My Sickness
• John Donne : Holy Sonnets: Since She Whom I Lov'd Hath Paid Her Last Debt
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xviii: Show Me, Dear Christ, Thy Spouse, So Bright And Clear
• John Donne : Holy Sonnet Xvii: Since She Whom I Loved