Lines like these have the same direct, passionate quality as
φαίνεταί μοι κῆνος ἴσος θέοισιν
ἔμμεν ὤνηρ
or
O my love's like a red, red rose
That's newly sprung in June.
The joy is as intense though it is of a more spiritual and intellectual quality. And in the other notes of this simple passionate love-poetry, sorrow which is the shadow of joy, and tenderness, Donne does not fall far short of Burns in intensity of feeling and directness of expression. These notes are not so often heard in Donne, but
So, so break off this last lamenting kiss
is of the same quality as
Had we never lov'd sae kindly