Here’s a simple explanation, line by line, for John Donne’s poem "A Lecture upon the Shadow":
Stand still, and I will read to thee
A lecture, love, in love's philosophy.
- Stop for a moment, and I will give you a lesson about love.
These three hours that we have spent,
Walking here, two shadows went
Along with us, which we ourselves produc'd.
- In the last three hours, as we walked together, we saw two shadows following us, created by our own bodies.
But, now the sun is just above our head,
We do those shadows tread,
And to brave clearness all things are reduc'd.
- Now the sun is directly overhead, so the shadows are beneath our feet, and everything around us is clear and bright.
So whilst our infant loves did grow,
Disguises did, and shadows, flow
From us, and our cares; but now 'tis not so.
- When our love was young and growing, we had hidden feelings and pretended (represented by shadows), but now those are gone.
That love has not attain'd the high'st degree,
Which is still diligent lest others see.
- Love hasn't reached its highest point if it still worries about being seen or judged by others.
Except our loves at this noon stay,
We shall new shadows make the other way.
- If our love doesn't stay perfect at this midday moment, new shadows (doubts or problems) will appear in the other direction.
As the first were made to blind
Others, these which come behind
Will work upon ourselves, and blind our eyes.
- The first shadows were meant to hide things from others, but now the new shadows will deceive us, confusing our own judgment.
If our loves faint, and westwardly decline,
To me thou, falsely, thine,
And I to thee mine actions shall disguise.
- If our love weakens and starts to fade (like the sun setting), you will act falsely towards me, and I will hide my true feelings from you.
The morning shadows wear away,
But these grow longer all the day;
But oh, love's day is short, if love decay.
- Morning shadows disappear as the sun rises, but as the day goes on, shadows grow longer, and if love fades, its "day" is short.
Love is a growing, or full constant light,
And his first minute, after noon, is night.
- Love should be like the light that grows stronger or remains steady. But if it starts to fade after reaching its peak (noon), it quickly turns into darkness (night).
