John Donne: Holy Sonnets XIX

Oh, to vex me, contraryes meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begott
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vowes, and in devotione.
As humorous is my contritione
As my profane Love, and as soone forgott:
As ridlingly distemperd, cold and hott,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view Heav'n yesterday; and to day
In prayers, and flatt'ring speeches I court God:
Tomorrow I quake with true feare of his rod.
So my devout fitts come and go away,
Like a fantastique Ague: save that here
Those are my best dayes, when I shake with feare.

[The Complete English Poems, ed. C. A. Patrides, p. 447.]

(See also modernized.)

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sun. 04/13/03 08:55:13 AM
Categorized as Literary & Religious.