Holy Sonnet XIII “What if this present were the world’s last night?” by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions)

 

Holy Sonnet XIII “What if this present were the world’s last night?”

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase, Analysis & Questions) 

“What if this present were the world’s last night?”

What if this present were the world’s last night?

Mark in my heart, O soul, where thou dost dwell,

The picture of Christ crucified, and tell

Whether that countenance can thee affright.

 

Tears in his eyes quench the amazing light;

Blood fills his frowns, which from his piercèd head fell.

And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,

Which prayed forgiveness for his foes’ fierce spite?

 

No, no; but as in my idolatry

I said to all my profane mistresses,

Beauty, of pity, foulness only is

A sign of rigour: so I say to thee,

 

To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assigned,

This beauteous form assures a piteous mind.

 

Summary

Opening Question – A Sudden Judgment Day Thought

The speaker begins by imagining a dramatic possibility: what if tonight is the end of the world? He addresses his own soul and tells it to reflect deeply. He urges the soul to look inward, into his own heart, where Christ crucified is spiritually pictured.

 

Confronting Christ’s Face

He wants the soul to examine Christ’s expression — the face of the crucified Jesus — and asks whether such a face could truly cause fear. This face, full of sorrow, shows tears that seem to dim the powerful, divine light. Blood from his pierced head mixes with his frowning expression.

 

Christ’s Mercy Despite Suffering

The speaker notes that Jesus, while in immense pain and dying, still used his voice to pray for the forgiveness of his enemies. With that in mind, he questions how that same merciful tongue — which pleaded for others’ pardon — could now condemn the speaker’s soul to hell. The implied answer is: it would not.

 

The Speaker’s Past Misjudgment

The speaker recalls how, in his past life, he once mistook outward beauty for kindness and ugliness for severity, particularly in his sinful relationships with worldly lovers. He acknowledges that he was once wrong in thinking this way.

 

Contrast Between Wicked and Holy Appearances

He ends by saying that truly wicked spirits are known by terrifying and ugly appearances, but Christ’s face is beautiful. Therefore, the beauty of Christ’s appearance must reflect his compassionate and merciful nature.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Line 1:

What if this present were the world’s last night?

→ What if tonight were the end of the world?

 

Line 2:

Mark in my heart, O soul, where thou dost dwell,

→ O my soul, look within my heart where you live,

 

Line 3:

The picture of Christ crucified, and tell

→ And observe the image of the crucified Christ there, then tell me—

 

Line 4:

Whether that countenance can thee affright.

→ Does His face truly frighten you?

 

Line 5:

Tears in his eyes quench the amazing light;

→ The tears in Jesus’ eyes soften or dim the powerful light that shines from Him;

 

Line 6:

Blood fills his frowns, which from his pierced head fell.

→ His frowning face is stained with blood that flowed from the wounds in His head.

 

Line 7:

And can that tongue adjudge thee unto hell,

→ Can the same tongue (Jesus’ voice), really sentence you to hell—

 

Line 8:

Which prayed forgiveness for his foes’ fierce spite?

→ —when it once prayed to God to forgive His enemies who treated Him cruelly?

 

Line 9:

No, no; but as in my idolatry

→ No, certainly not! Just as, in my sinful past (idolatrous love affairs),

 

Line 10:

I said to all my profane mistresses,

→ I told my unholy lovers (worldly or lustful women),

 

Line 11:

Beauty, of pity, foulness only is

→ That outward beauty meant kindness, and ugliness meant cruelty—

 

Line 12:

A sign of rigour: so I say to thee,

→ That ugliness was a sign of harshness—so now I say the same to you (my soul),

 

Line 13:

To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assigned,

→ Evil spirits appear in ugly, terrifying forms,

 

Line 14:

This beauteous form assures a piteous mind.

→ But this beautiful form (Christ’s face) shows that He has a merciful heart.

 

Analysis in Detail

In this Holy Sonnet, John Donne meditates deeply on mortality, judgment, repentance, and the image of Christ. The poem is framed by a single haunting possibility: What if tonight were the final night of the world—the moment of divine judgment? This question prompts the speaker to address his own soul and urge introspection in light of Christ’s crucifixion. Like many of Donne’s religious poems, it blends theology, emotion, and poetic intensity.

 

Lines 1–4: A Confrontation with the End

The poem opens with an arresting hypothetical: What if this present were the world’s last night? Donne's question is not rhetorical—it is meant to jolt the reader (and himself) into sudden spiritual awareness. The speaker addresses his own soul, urging it to "mark in my heart"—that is, to take notice of what is spiritually engraved there. The heart here symbolizes both love and inner truth, and within it, the speaker says, is "the picture of Christ crucified." This internal vision of the suffering Christ becomes a mirror for the soul’s self-examination.

He then asks whether this image—Christ's crucified countenance—would be something to fear. The challenge is profound: if Christ, in all His sorrow and sacrifice, is truly present in the speaker’s heart, how can the soul tremble in fear of damnation? This shifts the tone from fear of judgment to hope in mercy.

 

Lines 5–8: Christ’s Suffering and Mercy

Donne presents a vivid and tender image of the crucified Christ. Tears flow from His eyes, "quenching" the overwhelming divine light—that is, softening its harsh glare with sorrowful love. Blood drips from His pierced head, filling His “frowns”—a painful and moving image of divine suffering.

Then comes a key theological point: Can the same Christ who, while being crucified, prayed for the forgiveness of His tormentors, now condemn the speaker’s soul to hell? Donne’s implied answer is no—Christ’s essential nature is merciful. His love, even in agony, outweighs the terror of judgment. This becomes the emotional and theological center of the poem: Christ’s face, though bruised and bloodied, reflects mercy rather than condemnation.

 

Lines 9–12: A Confession of Past Error

The speaker reflects on his past spiritual blindness. He admits to once idolizing worldly beauty and treating it as a sign of goodness. In his earlier life of "idolatry"—which may refer to lustful or profane love—he judged people by appearances. He wrongly assumed that beauty signaled pity and kindness, and that ugliness meant cruelty or severity. Donne draws a parallel between this past foolishness and the way the soul might now misjudge Christ’s bloody face as fearsome rather than compassionate.

This section highlights Donne’s use of paradox: Christ’s wounded, sorrowful form—though outwardly terrifying—is actually the most beautiful and tender expression of divine love.

 

Lines 13–14: The True Nature of Christ

In the closing couplet, Donne contrasts the appearances of wicked and holy beings. “To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assigned”—in other words, truly evil beings are revealed through terrifying appearances. But Christ, despite His bloody suffering, still possesses “this beauteous form”—a face that radiates divine love, not wrath. His beautiful countenance assures us of a “piteous mind”—a mind full of compassion and mercy.

This ending brings the poem full circle: Christ’s beauty, even in suffering, is the ultimate proof of His willingness to forgive. It’s a deep reassurance to the penitent soul facing the terrifying thought of judgment day.

 

Themes

Judgment and Salvation: The fear of the world’s end becomes an occasion for spiritual reckoning.

Mercy over Wrath: Christ’s mercy is highlighted as stronger than His judgment, especially seen in His prayer on the cross.

Appearance vs. Reality: The poem warns against judging by outward appearances—Christ’s bloody face is not a sign of condemnation but of mercy.

Repentance and Grace: The speaker turns from past sin and misjudgment toward a clearer vision of divine love.

 

Conclusion

Donne’s Holy Sonnet XIII is both a theological meditation and a poetic act of repentance. It walks a tightrope between fear and faith, guilt and grace. Rather than relying on logic alone, Donne appeals to the imagination and the heart—inviting the soul to confront Christ not as a judge, but as a suffering Savior. His vision is not only doctrinal but deeply personal: it’s about learning to trust in the mercy that still shines through Christ’s wounded face.

 

Possible Exam Questions

What is the central question raised in the first line of Holy Sonnet XIII?

 

Whom does the speaker address in this sonnet, and why?

 

How is Christ’s face described in the poem?

 

What evidence of Christ’s mercy does the speaker recall?

 

What does the speaker mean by “tears in His eyes quench the amazing light”?

 

How does the speaker contrast beauty and ugliness in the sonnet?

 

What does Donne mean by “To wicked spirits are horrid shapes assigned”?

 

In what way does the speaker’s past “idolatry” relate to his understanding of Christ?

 

How does the poem reflect John Donne’s religious beliefs?

 

Identify two poetic devices used in the sonnet and explain their effect.

 

Explain how John Donne combines imagery of suffering and beauty in this sonnet.

 

How does Donne explore the theme of divine mercy in Holy Sonnet XIII?

 

Discuss the contrast between appearance and reality in the poem.

 

How does the poem reflect the speaker’s spiritual journey or transformation?

 

What role does fear play in the poem, and how is it resolved?

 

“What if this present were the world’s last night?” is both a question of fear and of faith. Discuss.

 

Analyze the sonnet as a spiritual meditation on judgment and mercy.

 

How does Donne use the image of the crucified Christ to explore themes of salvation and repentance?

 

Examine the speaker’s inner conflict in the poem and the resolution he reaches.

 

Discuss how the poem reflects Donne’s characteristic blend of intellectual argument and emotional intensity.

 

You are given the text of the poem (or selected lines) and asked to write a critical appreciation.

 

Write a critical appreciation of the sonnet focusing on tone, imagery, and message.

 

Comment on the effectiveness of Donne’s use of paradox and contrast.

 

How does Donne’s metaphysical style appear in this poem?