Religion

No pleasure to the pleasure of the Spirit

by John Davies of Hereford c. 1565–1618

From Essaies (1612)

Religion

TWo Ioyes there are, whereof, the one is not;
of Flsh the one, that other of the Spirit:
The Spirits ioy is reall, actiue, hot;
but, that of flesh, is vaine, cold, dull and light.

How then can they be two, if but one Be?
one is; but is, but meerely in Conceit:
Which in Conceit, is forgde by Fantazie;
and whatsoe'er is forgde, is but deceit.

Yet in this meere deceit, most men conceiue
most pleasure to consist; and, it to buy,
They most essentiall perfect pleasure; giue:
so, make their Iudgement giue their Sense the lye:
For, Sense could neuer tell, by her Receit,
That such Ioy Is, that is but in conceit.

MLA

Hereford, John Davies of. “No pleasure to the pleasure of the Spirit.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/davies_jh/69/.

Chicago

Hereford, John Davies of. “No pleasure to the pleasure of the Spirit.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/davies_jh/69/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by John Davies of Hereford