Poem by John Donne

Holy Sonnet 9. If poisonous minerals, and if that tree

If poisonous minerals, and if that tree,
Whose fruit threw death on (else immortal) us,
If lecherous goats, if serpents envious
Cannot be damn'd, alas ! why should I be?
Why should intent or reason, born in me,
Make sins, else equal, in me more heinous?
And, mercy being easy, and glorious
To God, in His stern wrath why threatens He?
But who am I, that dare dispute with Thee?
O God, O! of Thine only worthy blood,
And my tears, make a heavenly Lethean flood,
And drown in it my sin's black memory.
That Thou remember them, some claim as debt;
I think it mercy if Thou wilt forget.

1. Holy Sonnet 12. Why are we by all creatures waited on?
2. Holy Sonnet 18. Show me, dear Christ, thy spouse so bright and clear
3. Holy Sonnet 15. Wilt thou love God as he thee? then digest
4. Holy Sonnet 5. I am a little world made cunningly
5. Holy Sonnet 6. This is my play's last scene; here heavens appoint

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