poem by
John Donne
Take Heed of loving me
At least remember, I forbade it thee;
Not that I shall repair my unthrifty waste
Of Breath and Blood, upon thy sighs and tears
By being to me then what to me thou wast
But so great joy our life outwears.
Then,lest thy love, by my death frustrate be
If you love me, take heed of me.
Take heed of hating me
or too triumph in the victory
Not that I shall be my own officer;
And hate with hate again retaliate;
But thou will lose the style of conquerer,
If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate.
Then lest my being nothing lessen thee,
If tou hate me, take heed of hating me.
Yet love and hate me too;
So these extremes should ne'er their office do;
Love me that I may die the gentler way;
Hate me because thy love's too great for me;
Orlet these two, themselves, not me, decay;
Lest thou thy love and hate, and me undo;
O let me live, yet love and hate me too.