John Donne, one of the greatest of the Jacobean poets, was the carnal, devout, intense Dean of St. Paul's. Of Death--whether in his famous "For-whom-the-bell-tolls" sermon, or in many poems of which this one (reprinted from Reader's Companion, edited by Louis Kronenberger--Viking, $2) is a-distinguished example--he wrote with solemn grandeur, and a consoling lack of fear.

"DEATH, BE NOT PROUD"

Death, be not proud though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so,

For those, whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow,

Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.

From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee do go,

Rest of their bones and soul's delivery.

Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings and desperate men,

And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,

And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well,

And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

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