From His Mistress

By Carole Somerville

From His Mistress
A True Story of Secret Love, Scandal, and Poetic Legacy
In an age of rigid rules and unforgiving social order, two young hearts dared to defy the world.
Anne More ... spirited, intelligent, and unafraid-was a woman ahead of her time. Born in 1584 into a wealthy and politically connected family, she was raised in privilege at York House in London under the care of her aunt, Lady Egerton. It was there, among the grandeur and guarded corridors of power, that Anne met the man who would change her life forever: John Donne.
Donne was a brilliant, penniless poet, serving as secretary to Anne's guardian. His wit, passion, and mind captivated Anne. But in the eyes of her father, Sir George More, a stern landowner and Member of Parliament, John was utterly beneath her. The lovers knew their union was forbidden. Yet, against all odds, they chose each other.
In 1601, they were secretly married. The consequences were swift and brutal. When Sir George discovered the union, he had Donne imprisoned in the Fleet. It is said Donne wrote to Anne from his cell, "John Donne, Anne Donne, Un-done." But not even prison could sever their bond. John was eventually freed, and Anne stood by his side until her death in 1617.
Their love endured exile, scandal, and poverty but it also inspired some of the most exquisite poetry in the English language. Donne's verse, brimming with sensuality and spiritual depth, immortalized their love. Among his works, Elegy XVII: On His Mistress speaks to the intensity and secrecy of their courtship.
From His Mistress offers a new perspective: Anne's imagined response to Donne's elegy. Through her voice, we glimpse the silent strength of a woman who defied the expectations of her time ... facing familial estrangement, social scorn, and a lifetime of consequences ... for love.
This is more than a historical account. It is the echo of one of history's greatest love stories ... fierce, forbidden, and eternal.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1466452498
• ISBN13: 9781466452497
• Release Date: August 2012
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 154 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"