John Donne (1572–1631) is one of the greatest English poets. His poems—profound, intelligent, erotic and complex—fuse intellectual inquiry with linguistic delight. They are also beautiful and moving. Donne was an exceptional man at an exceptional time. But he fell from favour at the start of what had appeared to be a glittering career. After a decade of uncertainty, he was ordained and eventually became the Dean of St Paul’s. This collection includes examples of his brilliant invention, passionate love poetry and magnificent explorations of faith and doubt.