John Donne, 1572-1631, born to a prominent Catholic family in anti-Catholic England, endured a tumultuous life of faith and hardship despite tremendous opportunities. He wrote prolifically. One of his best known poems, "Batter my heart, three-person'd God," appears below. Because the greatest way to grow as a poet is to read great poets and poetry, we aim to release a stream of the greats on our blog in the days ahead. Read more of John Donne
Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.
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