Take A Break For John Donne

[Meowmilk]

This is my second "Take a break thread," please enjoy, and comment!

-ELEGY XX TO HIS MISTRESS GOING TO BED-

COME, madam, come, all rest my powers defy ;
Until I labour, I in labour lie.
The foe ofttimes, having the foe in sight,
Is tired with standing, though he never fight.
Off with that girdle, like heaven's zone glittering,
But a far fairer world encompassing.
Unpin that spangled breast-plate, which you wear,
That th' eyes of busy fools may be stopp'd there.
Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime
Tells me from you that now it is bed-time.
Off with that happy busk, which I envy,
That still can be, and still can stand so nigh.
Your gown going off such beauteous state reveals,
As when from flowery meads th' hill's shadow steals.
Off with your wiry coronet, and show
The hairy diadems which on you do grow.
Off with your hose and shoes ; then softly tread
In this love's hallow'd temple, this soft bed.
In such white robes heaven's angels used to be
Revealed to men ; thou, angel, bring'st with thee
A heaven-like Mahomet's paradise ; and though
Ill spirits walk in white, we easily know
By this these angels from an evil sprite ;
Those set our hairs, but these our flesh upright.
Licence my roving hands, and let them go
Before, behind, between, above, below.
O, my America, my Newfoundland,
My kingdom, safest when with one man mann'd,
My mine of precious stones, my empery ;
How am I blest in thus discovering thee !
To enter in these bonds, is to be free ;
Then, where my hand is set, my soul shall be.
Full nakedness ! All joys are due to thee ;
As souls unbodied, bodies unclothed must be
To taste whole joys. Gems which you women use
Are like Atlanta's ball cast in men's views ;
That, when a fool's eye lighteth on a gem,
His earthly soul might court that, not them.
Like pictures, or like books' gay coverings made
For laymen, are all women thus array'd.
Themselves are only mystic books, which we
—Whom their imputed grace will dignify—
Must see reveal'd. Then, since that I may know,
As liberally as to thy midwife show
Thyself ; cast all, yea, this white linen hence ;
There is no penance due to innocence :
To teach thee, I am naked first ; why then,
What needst thou have more covering than a man?

~John Donne (1572-1631)

[phantasmagoria]

shouldn't this go in creative writing...?

[Iconic]

I don't really like that to much either there are some good parts in their though

EDIT: it would go better here

[Meowmilk]

Oh dear.. NO it belongs right here < 3

Any more fans of vivid imagery? Or am I alone - In this community where sheep graze on ruined sidewalks.

This is the second of three Take A Break threads I have planned.

For the third, I'm leaning towards something less complex so you guys can understand, and comment on it. < 3

[custodis]

Originally Posted by Meowmilk

This is the second of three Take A Break threads I have planned.

For the third, I'm leaning towards something less complex so you guys can understand, and comment on it. < 3

Why do you assume we can't understand it?

[Meowmilk]

Because there have not been any valid comments T_T

[beefycurtains.]

Maybe because it's in the wrong place.

[ourmodernred]

No offense, but fancy language doesn't make a great poem...

[Meowmilk]

I will argue against that statement if you can defend it