To Mr. Rowland Woodward by John Donne (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

To Mr. Rowland Woodward

by John Donne

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

To Mr. Rowland Woodward

Like one who in her third widowhead doth profess

Herself a nun, tied to retiredness,

So affects my Muse now a chaste fallowness.

Since she to few, yet to too many hath shown,

How love-song weeds and satiric thorns are grown

Where seeds of better arts were early sown;

Though to use and love poetry, to me,

Betroth’d to no one art, be no adultery;

Omissions of good is no infidelity.

She’s neither that she was, nor what she shall be;

Maid, wife, and widow, are metaphors for thee.

Now, if thou be’st that thing thou wert, then stay;

If thou be’st not, but yet art so, away.

As love is oft from ignorance, and hate,

Envy, and pride, rise in a learned state,

So now some love me, but no man knows why,

So hate they too, because I’m not like them, I.

All things are made from truth, and truth by time;

Yet, if the watch be false, it will not chime.

Man’s immaterial part immortal is,

Yet he’s not therefore fit for endless bliss.

Soul, if she be in heaven, hath none of this.

And this and more than this, God knows, I miss.

For thus, fair Critic, I with thee would live,

Not in the world’s market, but the home-bred hive;

We, like two consuls, with but one year’s date,

Our great set friends, not wife and children, hate;

And now we (prisoners to the sea and air,

So ruin’d by our first love’s cruelty,

That now we only can be friends with thee),

May, in the freedom of our souls, be free;

And such an intercourse ourselves shall make,

That, dead, our loves shall live, and after wake.

 

Summary

Opening Comparison:

Donne compares his poetic muse to a woman who has become a nun after being widowed three times. Just as the woman now dedicates herself to a life of solitude, his muse has entered a phase of poetic silence and restraint. She is no longer active in writing about love or satire as she once did.

 

Change in Muse’s Focus:

He reflects that earlier, his poetry had touched on lighter or worldly subjects like love songs and satire, although his soul was meant for higher, nobler subjects (“better arts”). The poems were shown to too many people, even though they were written for only a few. He regrets that.

 

Faithfulness to Poetry:

Donne explains that although he is not devoted to any single art form, loving and using poetry isn’t a betrayal of other disciplines. Just as failing to do good isn’t necessarily a sin, writing poetry isn’t wrong if used rightly.

 

Poet’s Changing Identity:

He speaks of poetry using female life stages as metaphors—maid, wife, and widow—implying his poetry has gone through phases of innocence, productivity, and now withdrawal. His muse is no longer what she was, nor has she become what she might yet be.

 

Call to the Friend:

Donne addresses Rowland Woodward directly. He says: if you are still the person you once were (a true friend), stay with me; if you have changed and are only pretending, then go away.

 

Love and Hate from Others:

Donne observes that people often love or hate others without reason. Some love him now, but they don’t know why; others hate him because he is not like them. He expresses a sense of being misunderstood by society.

 

On Truth and Human Nature:

He makes philosophical remarks about truth, time, and the soul. All things come from truth, but if a “watch” (i.e., a timepiece or a person’s inner sense) is faulty, it won’t show the right time—truth is lost. Likewise, though the soul is immortal, that alone doesn’t guarantee eternal happiness. He misses a sense of spiritual clarity and fulfillment.

 

Desire for Friendship:

Donne longs for a deep, sincere friendship with Woodward. He says they should live not in the noisy world of public affairs (the "world’s market") but in a quiet, honest companionship, like bees in a home-bred hive.

 

A New Type of Union:

He likens their bond to that of Roman consuls—equals who share power for a set time—rather than family relationships, which can be full of expectations and duties. This friendship is more pure, not burdened by obligations.

 

Past Sufferings and New Hope:

Donne suggests that both he and Woodward have been “prisoners” of air and sea (symbolizing uncertainty or hardship), wounded by past romantic experiences. Now, having suffered, they can enjoy a freer, more spiritual companionship.

 

Eternal Friendship:

He ends by affirming that their bond will outlast their lives. Even in death, their love and friendship will live on, and will “wake” again—perhaps in the afterlife.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

1. Like one who in her third widowhead doth profess

Just like a woman who, after losing three husbands, chooses to become a nun

 

2. Herself a nun, tied to retiredness,

She dedicates herself to a quiet, secluded life

 

3. So affects my Muse now a chaste fallowness.

In the same way, my poetic inspiration (Muse) now chooses to remain silent and pure

 

4. Since she to few, yet to too many hath shown,

Because she (my Muse) has written for a few people, but too many ended up seeing the work

 

5. How love-song weeds and satiric thorns are grown

Showing how superficial love poems and biting satire have developed

 

6. Where seeds of better arts were early sown;

In a place (his poetic gift) where better, nobler writing was meant to grow

 

7. Though to use and love poetry, to me,

Even though writing and enjoying poetry, for me

 

8. Betroth’d to no one art, be no adultery;

Is not unfaithful, because I’m not committed to just one form of art

 

9. Omissions of good is no infidelity.

Not doing something good doesn’t mean I’m being unfaithful

 

10. She’s neither that she was, nor what she shall be;

My Muse is no longer what she used to be, and she’s not yet what she will become

 

11. Maid, wife, and widow, are metaphors for thee.

You (the Muse or the poetry) are like a woman—once a virgin, then married, and now a widow

 

12. Now, if thou be’st that thing thou wert, then stay;

If you are still the same person (or Muse) you once were, then remain with me

 

13. If thou be’st not, but yet art so, away.

But if you’ve changed, even though you pretend to be the same, then go away

 

14. As love is oft from ignorance, and hate,

Just as love often comes from ignorance, and hate

 

15. Envy, and pride, rise in a learned state,

And envy and pride grow among educated people

 

16. So now some love me, but no man knows why,

Similarly, some people love me now, but they don’t really know why

 

17. So hate they too, because I’m not like them, I.

Others hate me simply because I am not like them

 

18. All things are made from truth, and truth by time;

Everything originates from truth, and truth reveals itself over time

 

19. Yet, if the watch be false, it will not chime.

But if your inner sense (like a broken watch) is wrong, it won’t show the right time

 

20. Man’s immaterial part immortal is,

The soul (the non-physical part of man) is eternal

 

21. Yet he’s not therefore fit for endless bliss.

But that doesn’t automatically make him worthy of eternal happiness

 

22. Soul, if she be in heaven, hath none of this.

If the soul is already in heaven, it lacks these earthly troubles

 

23. And this and more than this, God knows, I miss.

And I miss this peace—and much more than this—God knows it

 

24. For thus, fair Critic, I with thee would live,

So, my dear critic and friend, I want to live with you (in friendship) this way

 

25. Not in the world’s market, but the home-bred hive;

Not in the noisy marketplace of society, but in a quiet, close-knit life (like a beehive)

 

26. We, like two consuls, with but one year’s date,

We would be like two Roman consuls—equals for a fixed term

 

27. Our great set friends, not wife and children, hate;

We’d avoid the entanglements of social ties and family duties

 

28. And now we (prisoners to the sea and air,

Now we, trapped by circumstances (like sea voyages or travel)

 

29. So ruin’d by our first love’s cruelty,

Wounded by the pain of our first romantic experiences

 

30. That now we only can be friends with thee),

So much that now we can only truly be friends with someone like you

 

31. May, in the freedom of our souls, be free;

We may find true freedom through a spiritual and intellectual friendship

 

32. And such an intercourse ourselves shall make,

And we will form such a deep exchange between us

 

33. That, dead, our loves shall live, and after wake.

That even after death, our friendship will live on—and be revived in eternity

 

Analysis in Detail

This poem is a verse epistle—essentially a poetic letter—from John Donne to his close friend, Rowland Woodward. It reflects Donne’s transition from writing secular poetry (especially love poetry and satire) to embracing a more serious, introspective, and spiritually aware phase of his life. It also expresses his desire for genuine friendship amid worldly confusion.

 

 Tone and Mood

The tone is deeply reflective, at times melancholic, and often philosophical. Donne's voice alternates between personal confession and intimate conversation. It holds a mix of resignation about the past, yearning for meaningful companionship, and wisdom about spiritual truth.

 

 Structure and Form

The poem flows as one continuous argument or meditation, using rhymed couplets and metaphysical conceits—extended metaphors for abstract ideas. The structure is organic and fluid, like a personal letter, without strict divisions or formal stanzas.

 

 Themes

1. Withdrawal from Worldly Poetry

Donne opens the poem with an extended metaphor comparing his Muse to a woman who, after being widowed three times, becomes a nun. This powerful image signals his retreat from writing worldly or romantic poetry. Donne feels that his earlier works, including love songs and satire, were seen by too many and have led his Muse astray. He longs to return to purity and silence in his art.

 

2. Artistic Identity and Integrity

Donne contemplates the nature of poetry and whether indulging in certain types of poetry—like satire or love lyrics—can be considered unfaithful to his deeper intellectual and spiritual goals. He declares that just as failing to do good isn’t always sinful, writing such poetry isn't necessarily wrong. However, he feels a tension between what he has done and what he aspires to become.

 

3. Transformation and Self-Awareness

Donne uses the metaphor of a woman moving through stages of life (maid, wife, widow) to describe his Muse and, by extension, his own creative journey. He acknowledges that he is in a transitional phase—not who he was, nor yet who he will be. This reflects a deep self-awareness and an evolving artistic and spiritual consciousness.

 

4. Friendship and Authentic Connection

One of the most intimate themes of the poem is Donne’s longing for true friendship with Woodward. He invites Woodward to remain close if he is still the same sincere friend—but to leave if he has changed and is only pretending. Donne seeks not the shallow connections of society but a pure, honest companionship. He values friendship based on shared inner freedom rather than social duty.

 

5. Alienation and Misunderstanding

Donne touches on the fact that some people love or hate him for no good reason. He feels out of place in a world where people judge others superficially. This adds to the tone of isolation and spiritual withdrawal.

 

6. Truth, Time, and the Soul

He introduces a philosophical section where he reflects on the nature of truth, time, and the soul. Everything is founded on truth, but time is necessary for truth to emerge. A faulty watch (symbolizing a flawed understanding) cannot reveal the correct hour—just as a flawed human may not perceive spiritual truth. Though the soul is immortal, that doesn't guarantee it will experience eternal happiness. Donne confesses that he misses spiritual clarity and connection with the divine.

 

7. Idealized Companionship

Donne envisions a life with Woodward as one of quiet companionship, removed from public life and domestic obligations. He compares this relationship to two Roman consuls who share equal power for a time. They are not bound by societal roles like husbands or fathers but are united by intellectual and emotional freedom.

 

8. Suffering from Past Love

Donne hints that both he and his friend have suffered heartbreaks or disappointments from past love. They have been wounded by the cruelty of love and are now better suited to form bonds of friendship rather than romantic relationships.

 

9. Eternal Friendship

The poem ends on a note of deep spiritual intimacy. Donne expresses hope that their friendship will transcend death—that their love as friends will “live” even when they are gone and may “wake” again, possibly in an afterlife. This conclusion elevates the poem from a personal letter to a meditation on immortality and soul-deep connection.

 

 Language and Imagery

Metaphysical Conceits: The poem is full of intellectual metaphors: the widow/nun analogy, the broken watch, the consuls, the beehive—all complex images that represent inner states.

Personification of the Muse: Donne’s Muse is personified as a woman who has lived through stages of life and now chooses seclusion. This mirrors Donne’s own artistic evolution.

Symbolism of Time and Truth: Donne’s idea that “truth by time” is revealed, and that a broken watch won’t chime, is symbolic of how flawed perceptions prevent us from recognizing spiritual truth.

 

 Contextual Background

John Donne wrote this poem during a time when he was transitioning from a secular poet of love and wit to a deeply religious thinker and preacher. Rowland Woodward was one of Donne’s trusted friends and a fellow intellectual. This poem reflects both a farewell to his past poetic self and a call toward deeper friendships and divine focus.

 

 Conclusion

“To Mr. Rowland Woodward” is a deeply personal and spiritual poem disguised as a casual letter. Donne reveals his inner struggles as a poet, his disappointment with worldly values, and his craving for truthful, soulful companionship. Through poetic elegance and intellectual depth, he shows how art, friendship, and faith are all bound in the pursuit of higher truth and lasting connection.