John Donne: Selected Poems

Unparalleled in scope, this important volume provides the most comprehensive selection to date of Donne's works. In addition to the poems, it contains excerpts from all the prose writings, including such unfamiliar items as Donne's private letters, his comic onslaught on the Jesuits, Ignatius His Conclave, and his defense of suicide in Biathanotos. In addition, Carey presents over 130 excerpts from sermons culled from Donne's sixteen-year preaching career, concluding with the full text of his last sermon, Death's Duel.

And now good morrow to our waking soules,

Which watch not one another our of feare;

For love, all love of other sights controules,

And makes one little room, an everywhere.

Bloomsbury Poetry Classics are selections from the work of some of our greatest poets. The series is aimed at the general reader rather than the specialist and carries no critical or explanatory apparatus. This can be found elsewhere. In the series the poems introduce themselves, on an uncluttered page and in a format that is both attractive and convenient. The selections have been made by the distinguished poet, critic, and biographer Ian Hamilton.

Booknews

A comprehensive selection of Donne's (1572-1631) works, containing, in addition to the poems, excerpts from all the prose writings, as well as the full text of his last sermon Death's duel. The introduction by Carey (English literature, Oxford and author, John Donne: life, mind and art) locates Donne's writing in its turbulent social and historical context. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

John Donne was born in 1572 to a Roman Catholic family. After an adventurous youth-he voyaged with Essex and Raleigh and was a "great visitor of ladies"-he was imprisoned in 1601 for contracting an illicit marriage. Donne spent the next fourteen years trying to live down this disgrace. He renounced Catholicism, entered the established church and after much ingenious maneuvering he eventually became Dean of St. Paul's. Donne's poetry, he liked to say, was the mistress of his youth; divinity was the wife of his maturity. In consequence his impassioned and "conceited" verses were not published in his lifetime. He died, a vaunted holy man, in 1631.