John Donne

The Message

SEND home my long stray’d eyes to me,
Which, O! too long have dwelt on thee ;
Yet since there they have learn’d such ill,
      Such forced fashions,
      And false passions,
             That they be
             Made by thee
Fit for no good sight, keep them still.
 
Send home my harmless heart again,
Which no unworthy thought could stain ;
Which if it be taught by thine
      To make jestings
      Of protestings,
             And break both
             Word and oath,
Keep it, for then 'tis none of mine.
 
Yet send me back my heart and eyes,
That I may know, and see thy lies,
And may laugh and joy, when thou
      Art in anguish
      And dost languish
             For some one
             That will none,
Or prove as false as thou art now.
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