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Love Quote by John Donne

“BUSY old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains, call on us? Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run? Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide Late school-boys and sour prentices, Go tell court-huntsmen that the king will ride, Call country ants to harvest offices…” quote by John Donne
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““BUSY old fool, unruly Sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows, and through curtains, call on us? Must to thy motions lovers' seasons run? Saucy pedantic wretch, go chide Late school-boys and sour prentices, Go tell court-huntsmen that the king will ride, Call country ants to harvest offices ; Love, all alike, no season knows nor clime, Nor hours, days, months, which are the rags of time. Thy beams so reverend, and strong Why shouldst thou think ? I could eclipse and cloud them with a wink, But that I would not lose her sight so long. If her eyes have not blinded thine, Look, and to-morrow late tell me, Whether both th' Indias of spice and mine Be where thou left'st them, or lie here with me. Ask for those kings whom thou saw'st yesterday, And thou shalt hear, "All here in one bed lay." She's all states, and all princes I ; Nothing else is ; Princes do but play us ; compared to this, All honour's mimic, all wealth alchemy. Thou, Sun, art half as happy as we, In that the world's contracted thus ; Thine age asks ease, and since thy duties be To warm the world, that's done in warming us. Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere ; This bed thy center is, these walls thy sphere.””

John Donne

About This Quote

Source Poem: Holy Sonnets, 1633

The speaker questions the sun’s constant presence and its role, juxtaposing celestial duties with human love and mortality, highlighting the fleeting nature of power and desire.

In simple terms: The sun’s power is limited compared to love and time.

Key Takeaway

Recognize love’s timelessness over worldly duties.

Themes

love mortality power time nature

Mood

reflective contemplative melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • contemplating love
  • reflecting on power
  • writing poetry
  • philosophical musings

Key Concepts

celestial symbolism human desire impermanence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does love transcend the sun’s power?
  • What does the sun represent in human ambition?
A Different Perspective

The sun’s influence is still vital for life despite human concerns.

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