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Songs and Sonnets

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Songs and Sonnets

By: John Donne
Narrated by: Denis Daly
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About this listen

John Donne (1573-1631) is considered by many to be the finest poet of the Elizabeth Age after Shakespeare.

Ironically, poetry was not Donne's dominant preoccupation. In his own day, he was better known as a scholar, and, in later life, a clergyman. His verse was composed sporadically and in an offhand fashion and appears not to have been subjected to revision. In spite of occasional solecisms, his poetic verbiage is vigorous and compelling and marked by a striking use of imagery.

Most of these verses were composed in Donne's earlier years, before his adoption of religious life. Accordingly, a much-discussed subject is love, both sacred and profane.

Public Domain (P)2022 Voices of Today Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature European Poetry World Literature
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Well at least this made me appreciate Richard Burton’s recording of a smaller selection of Donne’s poems . These poems need to be read by a consummate actor . I don’t wish to be nasty but I continued listening far too long out of amazement , shock and disbelief . I am now worried that I will now no longer be able to fully enjoy some of the most ravishing poems ever written .

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