Holy Sonnets


Read by David Barnes

(4.9 stars; 39 reviews)

John Donne (1572 – March 31, 1631) was a Jacobean poet and preacher, representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works, notable for their realistic and sensual style, include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and immediacy of metaphor, compared with that of his contemporaries. Towards the end of his life Donne wrote works that challenged death, and the fear that it inspired in many men, on the grounds of his belief that those who die are sent to Heaven to live eternally. One example of this challenge is his Holy Sonnet X, from which come the famous lines “Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so.” (Summary from Wikipedia) (0 hr 23 min)

Chapters

Holy Sonnet I – Thou hast made me, and shall Thy work decay? 1:17 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet II – As due by many titles I resign my self to Thee… 1:13 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet III – O might those sighs and tears return again… 1:14 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet IV – Oh my black soul! now art thou summoned… 1:09 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet V – I am a little world made cunningly… 1:14 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet VI – This is my play’s last scene… 1:22 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet VII – At the round earth’s imagin’d corners… 1:15 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet VIII – If faithful angels be alike glorified… 1:10 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet IX – If poisonous minerals… 1:12 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet X – Death, be not proud… 1:19 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XI – Spit in my face you Jews… 1:16 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XII – Why are we by all creatures waited on? 1:14 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XIII – What if this present were the world’s last night? 1:16 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XIV – Batter my heart, three-personed God… 1:18 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XV – Wilt thou love God, as he thee? 1:16 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XVI – Father, part of his double interest… 1:14 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XVII – Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt… 1:17 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XVIII – Show me dear Christ, thy spouse so bright and clear… 1:17 Read by David Barnes
Holy Sonnet XIX – Oh, to vex me, contraries meet in one… 1:14 Read by David Barnes

Reviews


(5 stars)

I love this reading. The reader’s voice is perfect for the dignity and gravity of the subjects of these sonnets, not to mention beautifully fluid and melodic. I’ve listened to this over and over.

near perfect


(4.5 stars)

very good, would be perfect if the intended middle-english pronunciation were used throughout. some rhymes are lost in the ending couplets, really noticeable in X

A brilliant, subtly delivered reading


(5 stars)

Thank you for this.

Sounds good.


(5 stars)

No problem with audio here. Sounds wonderful.

Excellent


(5 stars)

These are great readings of the sonnets!

Great Reading!


(5 stars)

These poems are beautifully read.

exellent , brillant & thought provoking.


(5 stars)