Read "Negative Love" by John Donne online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
I never stoop'd so low, as they / Which on an eye, cheek, lip, can prey; / Seldom to them which soar no higher / Than virtue, or the mind to admire. / For sense and understanding may / Know what gives fuel to their fire; / My love, though silly, is more brave; / For may I miss, whene'er I crave, / If I know yet what I would have.
If that be simply perfectest, / Which can by no way be express'd / But negatives, my love is so. / To all, which all love, I say no. / If any who deciphers best, / What we know not-ourselves-can know, / Let him teach me that nothing. This / As yet my ease and comfort is, / Though I speed not, I cannot miss.