Chapter Summary of Major Poems of The Collected Poems - Study Guide by John Donne

In this poem he urges the "astronomers" (explorers) to pour the seas that they are discovering into his eyes that he might be cleansed (this mirrors both the cleansing of baptism and the more apocalyptic Noah's flood).

"Holy Sonnet X - Death Be Not Proud"

This poem is extremely moving. In it Donne addresses death directly. He contemplates the Christian paradox that although death is an unmistakable power, Christians' hope of eternal life lies in the very power of death. Donne then undermines the power of death by insisting that actually 'poppie [opium] or charmes [spells]' can create sleep that is more profound than death.

"A Hymn to God the Father"

Here, Donne famously plays upon the word 'done', punning it with his own name. The tone is overwrought and confessional, with the refrain denoting the guilt of the sinner:

"When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For, I have more."

The poem explores the different types of guilt that Donne feels, finally concentrating upon the greatest sin of all - the sin of fear: fear that God does not exist. Finally, when God has resolved this sin, Donne will fear no more.