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.
(John Donne)
More Poetry from John Donne:
John Donne Poems based on Topics: Soul, World, Mind, Light, Night, Christianity, Hell, Beauty, Jesus Christ, Sign & Symbol, Present- Metempsycosis (John Donne Poems)
- The Progres Of The Soule (John Donne Poems)
- The Lamentations Of Jeremy, For The Most Part According To Tremellus (John Donne Poems)
- An Anatomy Of The World... (John Donne Poems)
- A Litany (John Donne Poems)
- Eclogue (John Donne Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Night Poems, Light Poems, Mind Poems, Soul Poems, Christianity Poems, Beauty Poems, Jesus Christ Poems, Hell Poems, Sign & Symbol Poems, Present PoemsBased on Keywords: beauteous, wicked, prayed, horrid, quench, pierced, affright, piteous, frowns, amazing, forgiveness