| Herbert J.C. Grierson, ed. (1886–1960). Metaphysical Lyrics & Poems of the 17th C. 1921. |
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| John Donne |
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| 18. The Prohibition |
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| 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; | 5 |
| 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. | |
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| Take heed of hating mee, | |
| Or too much triumph in the Victorie. | 10 |
| 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, | 15 |
| If thou hate mee, take heed of hating mee. | |
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| 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; | 20 |
| 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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