Deaths duell: A sermon delivered before King Charles I in the beginning of Lent 1630/1

by John Donne

Deluxe Edition with signatures of the editor Geoffrey Keynes and the publisher David R. Godine. A reprinting of John Donne's sermon "Deaths Duell" or "A Consolation to the Soule Against the Dying Life and Living Death of the Body" with a comprehensive essay by Geoffrey Keynes. In addition to the five black-and-white plates, there are beautiful engraved initials at the beginning of each paragraph. Hand-marbled paper covered boards and gilt embossing on the spine. Paper watermarked with John Donne's name. Slight tear smaller than 1/8th of an inch on bottom left corner of spine. viii , 54, 4 pages, 5 plates. leather-backed, marbled paper-covered boards with gilt leaf band, gilt top edge. short 4to.

54 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

John Donne was an English poet, preacher and a major representative of the metaphysical poets of the period. His works are notable for their realistic and sensual style and include sonnets, love poetry, religious poems, Latin translations, epigrams, elegies, songs, satires and sermons. His poetry is noted for its vibrancy of language and inventiveness of metaphor, especially as compared to that of his contemporaries.

Despite his great education and poetic talents, he lived in poverty for several years, relying heavily on wealthy friends. In 1615 he became an Anglican priest and, in 1621, was appointed the Dean of St Paul's Cathedral in London.