English poem
Holy Sonnet V: I Am A Little World Made Cunningly
by John Donne
I am a little world made cunningly Of elements, and an angelic sprite; But black sin hath betrayed to endless night My worlds both parts, and (oh!) both parts must die. You which beyond that heaven which was most high Have found new spheres, and of new lands can write, Pour new seas in mine eyes, that so I might Drown my world with my weeping earnestly, Or wash it if it must be drowned no more: But oh it must be burnt! alas the fire Of lust and envy have burnt it heretofore, And made it fouler: Let their flames retire, And burn me, O Lord, with a fiery zeal Of Thee and Thy house, which doth in eating heal.
More by John Donne
- Holy Sonnet II: As Due By Many Titles I Resign
- Holy Sonnet III: O Might Those Sighs And Tears Return Again
- Holy Sonnet IV: Oh My Black Soul! Now Art Thou Summoned
- Holy Sonnet IX: If Poisonous Minerals, And If That Tree
- Holy Sonnet VI: This Is My Play's Last Scene, Here Heavens Appoint
- Holy Sonnet VII: At The Round Earth's Imagined Corners Blow
- Holy Sonnet VIII: If Faithful Souls Be Alike Glorified
- Holy Sonnet X: Death Be Not Proud