To the Honorable Lady, the Lady Carey by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

To the Honorable Lady, the Lady Carey

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

To the Honorable Lady, the Lady Carey

Madam,

Here where by all, all saints invoked are,

'Twere too much schism to be singular;

And yet, break rules I may; through grief I will;

For, grieved, I am, and not ashamed to tell it:

My body’s buried, though I have a soul,

Which found it out, a soul without control,

Which neither time nor place nor fate could bound,

And, if the soul be soul, it is not drowned.

 

So I love you, not in this sense confined,

But as a blessing over all mankind;

Not love, as love of sexes, did inspire,

But as the sun's beam quickens every fire.

So, though you turn saints, I must still adore

And keep that course which I begun before.

 

I humbly beg your ladyship to accept

These drops of ink, which from my pen have wept;

For I am now past art, joy, wit, and sense,

Love being become my only eloquence.

 

Summary

The speaker addresses Lady Carey, expressing his personal sorrow and emotional turmoil. While others around him are calling upon saints and engaging in collective reverence, the speaker chooses to act differently—he expresses his grief in a more individual and emotional way. He acknowledges that this may go against accepted customs (“’Twere too much schism to be singular”), but he feels compelled by sorrow to do so.

He uses the metaphor of his body being buried, yet his soul remains alive—suggesting that although he feels emotionally dead or overwhelmed by sorrow, his inner self continues to function. His love and devotion are not diminished, and he emphasizes that his soul’s affection is eternal and unbounded by time, place, or fate. His love, therefore, survives even in the midst of suffering.

The speaker then clarifies that the love he feels is not romantic or sexual but something universal and spiritual. He compares it to the sunlight, which touches and nourishes everything without discrimination. Just as sunlight gives life to all fires, his admiration and respect for Lady Carey extend beyond ordinary affection to something noble and all-encompassing.

Even though Lady Carey may now be revered as a saint by others (perhaps metaphorically, indicating her moral or spiritual elevation), the speaker insists that he will continue to adore and honor her just as he always has. His feelings for her remain constant, not influenced by outward changes in her status or others’ opinions.

Finally, he humbly requests that she accept his written words, acknowledging that they are like tears of ink, a symbol of his deep emotion. He says he is no longer capable of refined language, joy, or intellectual expression—his love alone now speaks for him, replacing eloquence with pure heartfelt sincerity.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

Madam,

— (Addressing Lady Carey with respect.)

 

1. Here where by all, all saints invoked are,

In this place, everyone is calling upon saints (perhaps in prayer or reverence).

 

2. 'Twere too much schism to be singular;

It might seem like a major act of separation or defiance to act differently from everyone else.

 

3. And yet, break rules I may; through grief I will;

Still, I’m willing to break those rules—because I am grieving deeply.

 

4. For, grieved, I am, and not ashamed to tell it:

I am full of sorrow, and I’m not embarrassed to admit it openly.

 

5. My body’s buried, though I have a soul,

It feels like my body is dead or lifeless, even though my soul is still alive.

 

6. Which found it out, a soul without control,

My soul has gone beyond my body—it’s free, beyond control or limits.

 

7. Which neither time nor place nor fate could bound,

This soul is not confined by time, location, or destiny.

 

8. And, if the soul be soul, it is not drowned.

And if a soul is truly a soul, it cannot be destroyed or lost, even in sorrow.

 

9. So I love you, not in this sense confined,

So, I love you—not in any limited or narrow way.

 

10. But as a blessing over all mankind;

My love is like a blessing that extends to all people—broad and universal.

 

11. Not love, as love of sexes, did inspire,

This is not the kind of love that comes from romantic or sexual attraction.

 

12. But as the sun’s beam quickens every fire.

It is like sunlight that helps every fire to burn—universal and life-giving.

 

13. So, though you turn saints, I must still adore

So even if others now revere you like a saint, I will still admire you.

 

14. And keep that course which I begun before.

And I will continue to feel for you the way I always have.

 

15. I humbly beg your ladyship to accept

I sincerely ask you, Lady Carey, to accept this small offering—

 

16. These drops of ink, which from my pen have wept;

These words I’ve written, like tears flowing from my pen.

 

17. For I am now past art, joy, wit, and sense,

I’ve lost the ability to be artistic, joyful, witty, or even sensible.

 

18. Love being become my only eloquence.

Now, only my love gives me the ability to speak or write.

 

Analysis in Detail

This verse letter by John Donne is a personal and emotional expression of grief, spiritual love, and devotion directed toward Lady Carey, a noblewoman of high esteem. Written in the tradition of the metaphysical poets, the poem blends deep emotion with philosophical reflection and uses vivid metaphors to communicate themes of love, loss, and eternal reverence.

 

 Tone and Mood:

The tone is grieved yet reverent, full of emotional intensity. There’s also an air of noble humility, as the speaker conveys personal sorrow while maintaining deep respect for Lady Carey. The mood fluctuates between sorrowful and spiritually uplifting, as Donne transforms personal loss into a universal spiritual connection.

 

 Theme 1: Grief and Mourning

The opening lines reflect Donne’s grief, possibly over the death or spiritual departure of Lady Carey (or her transformation into a saint-like figure). He acknowledges that everyone else is calling upon saints, but he chooses a different path—expressing his personal sorrow instead of joining collective rituals. This distinction underscores his individual and sincere emotion, unfiltered by social expectations.

 

 Theme 2: The Soul's Immortality and Independence

Donne explores the immortal nature of the soul, emphasizing that while his body may feel buried or lifeless, his soul is still active and powerful. This soul is not confined by time, place, or fate. It is a free and enduring force. This concept reflects Christian Neoplatonic philosophy, which views the soul as eternal and capable of transcending physical limitations.

 

 Theme 3: Spiritual and Universal Love

A central argument of the poem is that Donne’s love for Lady Carey is not romantic or erotic but spiritual and universal. He explicitly states that his love is not "as love of sexes," but rather like the sunlight that nourishes all fires—it gives warmth and life without discrimination. This metaphor elevates Lady Carey to a symbol of goodness and inspiration, admired not for physical allure but for moral or spiritual excellence.

 

 Theme 4: Constancy in Devotion

Despite the possible “sainthood” or idealization of Lady Carey by others (suggesting she is now more distant or revered), Donne insists that his devotion remains unchanged. He maintains his emotional course, declaring a consistency of affection and reverence. This persistence emphasizes loyalty and steadfastness, qualities often celebrated in metaphysical poetry.

 

 Theme 5: The Power of Love Over Language

Toward the end, Donne becomes almost self-effacing, claiming he is no longer capable of wit, joy, or eloquence. Grief has stripped him of those faculties. However, he insists that love alone gives him the ability to express himself. This closing point echoes a broader theme in Donne’s work: that true emotion surpasses artifice, and that the heart speaks more powerfully than poetic skill.

 

 Imagery and Metaphysical Conceits:

“My body’s buried, though I have a soul” – A striking image suggesting spiritual survival despite emotional death.

“The sun’s beam quickens every fire” – A classic metaphysical conceit comparing spiritual love to sunlight, which enlivens all things equally.

“Drops of ink... wept” – A poignant metaphor showing that his writing is an outpouring of sorrow, not crafted literature.

These images are typical of Donne’s style: intellectual, emotional, and paradoxical.

 

 Style and Structure:

Written as a verse letter (epistle), a popular form in Donne’s era for combining intimacy with poetic formality.

The poem flows in rhymed couplets, giving it a musical rhythm that contrasts with its heavy emotional content.

The style is personal yet elevated, balancing courtly respect with raw emotional honesty.

 

 Historical and Social Context:

John Donne moved in elite circles and often addressed noble patrons in his poetry. Lady Carey likely belonged to a distinguished family, and this poem may have been written to honor her virtue, piety, or recent passing. During Donne’s time, poetry was often used to express deep personal truths under the veil of formality, especially when addressing noblewomen.

 

 Conclusion:

“To the Honorable Lady, the Lady Carey” is a deeply personal and spiritual poem in which Donne expresses grief not through traditional mourning rituals, but through a sincere, enduring love that transcends the physical realm. The poem is both a tribute and a confession—one that affirms the eternity of the soul, the purity of spiritual love, and the power of emotion over eloquence. Donne’s metaphysical style, with its paradoxes and vivid conceits, elevates this poem beyond mere flattery into a profound meditation on devotion and inner life.