John Donne was an English clergyman and one of the metaphysical poets. This poem celebrates the victory of God over the evil of death.
Death, be not proud (Holy Sonnet 10)
John Donne – 1571-1631
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think’st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul’s delivery.
Thou’art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy’or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell’st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
For more by John Donne, see these posts:
A John Donne Sonnet on Freedom
Lutheran Ladies Connection 