Donne - Shadow

[englishgirl1]

I've been reading Donne and understand most of it... but these lines flumox me:

As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.

From A lecture upon the shadow.

Any ideas? Is it an extended simile?

[trismegistus]

I'd want to see the full text. Donne loves loopy, turning arguments that double and triple back around on themselves.

[Isagel]

STAND still, and I will read to thee
A lecture, Love, in Love's philosophy.
These three hours that we have spent,
Walking here, two shadows went
Along with us, which we ourselves produced.
But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduced.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadows, flow
From us and our cares ; but now 'tis not so.

That love hath not attain'd the highest degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.

Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.
As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.
If our loves faint, and westerwardly decline,
To me thou, falsely, thine
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
The morning shadows wear away,
But these grow longer all the day ;
But O ! love's day is short, if love decay.

Love is a growing, or full constant light,
And his short minute, after noon, is night.

[mono]

Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.
As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.


englishgirl1, I think the lines you question refer to the previous two lines in the complete poem that Isagel posted. Before noon, the shadows will point towards others, and blind them, at noon there exist no shadows, and after noon, the shadows "will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes."
Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

[atiguhya padma]

Is it not about the sun heading towards its setting, so that the shadows before noon would fall upon those ahead of them, thus blinding them, whilst after noon, the sun would be shining full upon them, the two lovers? This seems to be coupled with the idea that early love is hidden from the world, that others are blind to it, whilst as love grows, the lovers become more of a focus for others, they shower praise upon them.

[Scheherazade]

Where the shadows fall would depend on which direction oen is facing as well...