Holy Sonnet 14

Holy Sonnet 14

by John Donne



Batter my heart, three-personed God, for you

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like a usurped town to another due,

Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captivated, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain

But am betrothed 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.