Poem by John Donne

Holy Sonnet 19. Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one

Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one:
Inconstancy unnaturally hath begot
A constant habit; that when I would not
I change in vows, and in devotion.
As humorous is my contrition
As my profane love, and as soon forgot:
As riddlingly distempered, cold and hot,
As praying, as mute; as infinite, as none.
I durst not view heaven yesterday; and today
In prayers and flattering speeches I court God:
Tomorrow I quake with true fear of his rod.
So my devout fits come and go away
Like a fantastic ague; save that here
Those are my best days, when I shake with feare.

1. Holy Sonnet 13. What if this present were the world's last night?
2. Holy Sonnet 5. I am a little world made cunningly
3. Holy Sonnet 9. If poisonous minerals, and if that tree
4. Holy Sonnet 8. If faithful souls be alike glorified
5. Holy Sonnet 12. Why are we by all creatures waited on?

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