Father, Part of his Double Interest
In this sonnet, the speaker addresses God the Father, explaining that His Son gives the speaker part of His "double interest" in the Father's kingdom: the Son retains His own jointure, or share, in the Trinity, but grants the speaker the conquest won by His death. This Lamb, whose death has blessed the world with life, was slain from the world's beginning, and has made two wills, which together with the legacy of both His and the Father's kingdom, invest the Father's sons. Yet these laws are such that men still argue whether anyone can fulfil their statutes; the speaker asserts that no one does, but the Father's all-healing grace and Spirit revive what the law and its letter kill. The law's abridgement, and the last command, is nothing but love, and the speaker prays that this final Will may stand.
By John Donne · First published 1633 · Genre: Metaphysical Poetry, Devotional Poetry, Religious Poetry · 170 words
First lines
Father, part of His double interest / Unto Thy kingdom Thy Son gives to me; / His jointure in the knotty Trinity / He keeps, and gives to me his death's conquest. / This Lamb, whose death with life the world hath blest, / Was from the world's beginning slain, and He / Hath made two wills, which with the legacy / Of His and Thy kingdom do thy sons invest. / Yet such are these laws, that men argue yet / Whether a man those statutes can fulfil. / None doth; but thy all-healing grace and Spirit / Revive again what law and letter kill. / Thy law's abridgement, and Thy last command / Is all but love; O let this last Will stand!
What this Textopian page supports
Father, Part of his Double Interest is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Donne, dated 1633 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Donne
- Date: 1633 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Metaphysical Poetry, Devotional Poetry, Religious Poetry, Meditative Poetry, Theological Poetry
- Length: 170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Father, Part of his Double Interest by John Donne
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Metaphysical Poetry — The poem exemplifies metaphysical poetry through its intellectual argumentation about spiritual matters, complex theological conceits (particularly the 'double interest' and 'knotty Trinity'), paradoxical imagery, and characteristic wit found in Donne's work.
- Devotional Poetry — The poem is directly addressed to God as a form of prayer and spiritual meditation, seeking divine understanding and grace through intimate dialogue with the Divine, which is the fundamental purpose of devotional poetry.
- Religious Poetry — The poem engages extensively with Christian religious themes including the nature of God, Christ's sacrifice, redemption of humanity, divine grace, and spiritual salvation.
- Meditative Poetry — The poem follows a meditative structure, working through theological arguments about Christ's inheritance and divine law, building toward spiritual insight and concluding with a contemplative petition.
Tags
metaphysical poetry · devotional · religious themes · baroque literature · spiritual meditation · paternal love · theological reflection · 17th century poetry · introspection · duality · conceits · divine love