John Donne wrote this sonnet after his wife’s death. His mind, once fixed on her, now turns entirely to God—her memory sharpened his desire to seek the divine, like a stream pointing to its source. He has found God, yet a painful, holy thirst still consumes him; satisfaction only deepens the longing. The closing lines shift into an intimate, almost startling image: God woos the speaker’s soul, offering all divine love, but with a tender jealousy. God worries that even saints, angels, or the world might steal that love away. The mood is one of aching devotion, where grief opens into a restless, sacred hunger. The speaker feels both comforted and unsettled—grateful for God’s presence yet aware of a bottomless need, and awed by a God who loves so possessively.
Holy Sonnet XVII: Since She Whom I Loved — Summary
Since she whom I loved hath paid her last debt To Nature, and to hers, and my good is dead, And her soul early into heaven ravished, Wholly on heavenly things my mind is set. here the admiring her my mind did whet To seek thee, God; so streams do show the head; But though I have found thee, and thou my thirst hast fed, a holy thristy dropsy melts me yet. But why should I beg more love, whenas thou Dost woo my soul, for hers offering all thine: And dost not only fear lest I allow My love to saints and angels, things divine, but in they tender jealousy dost doubt lest the world, flesh, yea, devil put thee out.