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Donne's 'Holy Sonnet 18.'.(John Donne's poem)

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From: The Explicator
Date: 19980922
Author:Rovang, Paul R.

John Donne's 'Holy Sonnet 18' refers to the Christian church as akin to that of a promiscuous wife with its many divisions and sects that mask the identity and nature of the one true faith. The poet wonders whether the true Church is on the seven hills, referring to Rome, or in another hill or no hill at all. For the poet, the true religion will be revealed to the truly spiritual in due time.

Show me, dear Christ, thy spouse so bright and clear.

What! is it she which on the other shore

Goes richly painted? or which, robbed and tore,

Laments and mourns in Germany and ...

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