| The Undertaking... John Donne... |
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I have done one braver thing Than all the Worthies did, And yet a braver thence doth spring, Which is, to keep that hid. |
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It were but madness now to impart The skill of specular stone, When he which can have learn'd the art To cut it, can find none. |
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So, if I now should utter this, Others (because no more Such stuff to work uponthere is) Would love but as before. |
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But he who loveliness within Hath found, all outward loathes, For he who colors loves, and skin, Loves but their oldest clothes. |
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If, as I have, you also do Virtue attir'd in woman see, And dare love that, and say so too, And forget the He and She; |
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And if this love, though placèd so, From profane men you hide, Which will no faith on this bestow, Or, if they do, deride: |
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Then you have done a braver thing Than all the Worthies did; And a braver thence will spring, Which is, to keep that hid. |
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