This volume, the ninth in the series of The Variorum Edition of the Poetry of John Donne, presents newly edited critical texts of 25 love lyrics. Based on an exhaustive study of the manuscripts and printed editions in which these poems have appeared, Volume 4.2 details the genealogical history of each poem, accompanied by a thorough prose discussion, as well as a General Textual Introduction of the Songs and Sonets collectively. The volume also presents a comprehensive digest of the commentary on these Songs and Sonets from Donne's time through 1999. Arranged chronologically within sections, the material for each poem is organized under various headings that complement the volume's companions, Volume 4.1 and Volume 4.3.

Acknowledgments
Short Forms of Reference for Donne's Works
Abbreviations Used in the Commentary
Sigla for Textual Sources
Manuscripts Listed by Traditional Classification
Symbols and Abbreviations Used in the Textual Apparatus
Figures
General Introduction
Introduction to Volume 4.2
Text and Apparatuses
Commentary
Works Cited
Index of Authors Cited in the Commentary
Index of Writers and Historical Figures Cited in the Commentary
Index of Other Poems and Works of Donne Cited in the Commentary
Index of Titles
Index of First Lines
About the Editors