“The Sun Rising” is a poem by John Donne, written in the early 17th century. It is a love poem addressed to the speaker’s beloved, who is lying in bed with him. The speaker scorns the sun for rising and interrupting their intimate moment, addressing it as a “busy old fool” who has no right to intrude on their private world.
He goes on to address the sun’s lack of understanding of the power of love, and says that his beloved’s love is more important and lasting than anything the sun represents. The poem ends with the speaker challenging the sun to come and shine on them, and daring it to disturb the peace of their love.
The poem is notable for its witty and bold tone, as well as its use of dramatic personification, in which the speaker addresses the sun as if it were a person. This technique adds to the poem’s humor and playful tone, while also emphasizing the power of the speaker’s love and the importance of his relationship with his beloved.
The poem is considered a classic of the metaphysical poetry movement, which was characterized by its use of elaborate conceits, witty language, and philosophical musings on love, life, and death.