The Holy Sonnets of John Donne, Op. 35: Sonnet III: O might those sighes and teares - Steuart Bedford, Philip Langridge, Бенджамин Бриттен

Oh might those sighes and teares return againe

Into my breast and eyes, which I have spent,

That I might in this holy discontent

Mourne with some fruit, as I have mourn’d in vaine;

In mine Idolatry what show’rs of rain

Mine eyes did waste?

What griefs my heart did rent?

That sufferance was my sinne;

now I repent

'Cause I did suffer, I must suffer paine.

Th’hydroptique drunkard, and night scouting thief,

The itchy lecher and self-tickling proud

Have the remembrance of past joyes, for relief

Of coming ills.

To poore me is allow’d

No ease;

for long, yet vehement griefe hath been

Th’effect and cause, the punishment and sinne.