Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PROHIBITION, by JOHN DONNE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PROHIBITION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Take heed of loving me
Last Line: To let mee live, o love and hate mee too.


Take heed of loving mee,
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repaire my unthrifty wast
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighes, and teares,
By being to thee then what to me thou wast;
But, so great Joy, our life at once outweares,
Then, least thy love, by my death, frustrate bee,
If thou love mee, take heed of loving mee.
Take heed of hating mee,
Or too much triumph in the Victorie.
Not that I shall be mine owne officer,
And hate with hate againe retaliate;
But thou wilt lose the stile of conquerour,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then, least my being nothing lessen thee,
If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee.
Yet, love and hate mee too,
So, these extreames shall neithers office doe;
Love mee, that I may die the gentler way;
Hate mee, because thy love is too great for mee;
Or let these two, themselves, not me decay;
So shall I, live, thy Stage, not triumph bee;
Lest thou thy love and hate and mee undoe,
To let mee live, O love and hate mee too.







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