Show me, dear Christ, thy Spouse, so bright and clear. <br />What! is it She, which on the other shore <br />Goes richly painted? or which, robbed and tore, <br />Laments and mourns in Germany and here? <br />Sleeps she a thousand, then peeps up one year? <br />Is she self-truth and errs? now new, now outwore? <br />Doth she, and did she, and shall she evermore <br />On one, on seven, or on no hill appear? <br />Dwells she with us, or like adventuring knights <br />First travail we to seek and then make love? <br />Betray, kind husband, thy spouse to our sights, <br />And let mine amorous soul court thy mild dove, <br />Who is most true and pleasing to thee then <br />When she's embraced and open to most men.<br /><br />John Donne<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/holy-sonnet-xviii-show-me-dear-christ-thy-spouse-so-bright-and-clear/
