John Donne, poet and clergyman, died on 31st March 1631
Death Conquered
There is only one effigy in St.Paul's cathedral that remains from the previous building and survived the Great Fire of London. It is that of John Donne, Dean of St Paul's
In an age without any of the modern entertainments we take for granted, people flocked to listen to famous preachers, and sermons often lasted several hours. Crowds, including the king himself, came to hear John Donne.
Plague, war and disease made death a common happening for young as well as old. Donne wrote and thought much about death, and though we may think that morbid, he would probably think us foolish or cowardly to ignore something we must all face.
But for Donne, death was not a final disaster. Christ had conquered death.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou thinkest thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor death; not yet canst thou kill me.
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die!
John Donne
Death Conquered
There is only one effigy in St.Paul's cathedral that remains from the previous building and survived the Great Fire of London. It is that of John Donne, Dean of St Paul's
In an age without any of the modern entertainments we take for granted, people flocked to listen to famous preachers, and sermons often lasted several hours. Crowds, including the king himself, came to hear John Donne.
Plague, war and disease made death a common happening for young as well as old. Donne wrote and thought much about death, and though we may think that morbid, he would probably think us foolish or cowardly to ignore something we must all face.
But for Donne, death was not a final disaster. Christ had conquered death.
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou thinkest thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor death; not yet canst thou kill me.
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more. Death, thou shalt die!
John Donne
