Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE UNDERTAKING by JOHN DONNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: I HAVE DONE ONE BRAVER THING
Last Line: WHICH IS, TO KEEP THAT HID.
I have done one braver thing
Than all the Worthies did,
And yet a braver thence doth spring.
Which is, to keep that hid.

It were but madness now t' impart
The skill of s[ecular stone,
When he which can have learned the art
To cut it, can find none.

So, if I now should utter this,
Others (because no more
Such stuff to work upon, there is,)
Would love but as before.

But he who loveliness within
Hath found, all outward loathes,
For he who colour loves, and skin,
Loves but their oldest clothes.

If, as I have, you also do
Virtue attited in woman see,
And dare love that, and say so too,
And forget the He and She;

And if this love, though placed so,
From profane men you hide,
Which will no faith on this bestow,
Or, if they do, deride:

Then you have done a braver thing
Than all the Worthies did,
And a braver thence will spring,
Which is, to keep that hid.


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