'Death Be Not Proud' - Text

“Divine Sonnet X” is a well-known religious poem by John Donne. You'll probably recognize the poem by part of the first line: "DEATH be not proud..."

The poem (and that first line) has been the inspiration for several inspirational works in more recent literary history. John Gunther wrote a memoir entitled Death Be Not Proud, which centers around the life and death of his son. Margaret Edson also used the poem to great dramatic effect in her play Wit. Read the full poem here...

DIVINE SONNET X - DEATH BE NOT PROUD

DEATH be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and soules deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better then thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.

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