ThE FleA

Mark but this flea, and mark in this
how little that which thou deny't me is;
It sucked me first, and now sucks thee,
and in this flea our two bloods mingled be;

Thou know'st that this cannot be said
a sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead;
Yet this enjoys before it woo
and pampered swells with one blood made of two,
and this, alas is more than we would do.

Oh stay, three lives in one flee spare,
where we almost, yea, more than married are.
This flea is You andI, and this
our marriage bed and marriage temple is;
Though parents grudge, and you, we are met
and clostered in these living walls of jet.
Though use make you apt to kill me,
Let not to that, Self-murder added be,
and sacrilege, three sins in killing thee.

Cruel and sudden, hast though since
purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?
wherein could this flea guilty be,
Except in that drop which it sucked from thee?
Yet though triumph'st and say'st that though
Find'st not thyself, nor me the weaker now.
'Tis true. Then learn how false fears be:
Just so much honor, when though yield'st to me,
Will waste, as this fleas death took life from thee.