Holy Sonnet for Lent

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 breake, blow, burn and make me new.

I, like an usurpt town, to'another due,
5
Labour to admit you, but Oh, to no end,

Reason your viceroy in mee, me should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearely'I love you,'and would be loved fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy:
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Divorce me,'untie, or breake that knot again;

Take me to you, imprison me, for I

Except you enthrall mee, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.