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The Funeral by John Donne


"The Funeral" is a poem written by John Donne. In this poem, Donne speaks basically out of hurt. In the first stanza, he praises a woman; however, in the second, he begins to show his hate. Nonetheless, the third stanza shows his confusion. He doesn't know what to feel. Basically, he states that since she scorned him that he will simply die and carry her lock of hair with him to his grave.

"The Funeral" is made up of three stanzas with eight lines in each. Each stanza has the line structures of 10-6-10-10-6-13-6-13 syllables. Interesting! It is also rhymed at ABABCDCD.


The Funeral

Whoever comes to shroud me, do not harm,
Nor question much,
That subtle wreath of hair, which crowns my arm;
The mystery, the sign, you must not touch;
For 'tis my outward soul,
Viceroy to that, which then to heaven being gone,
Will leave this to control
And keep these limbs, her provinces, from dissolution.

For if the sinewy thread my brain lets fall
Through every part
Can tie those parts, and make me one of all,
Those hairs which upward grew, and strength and art
Have from a better brain,
Can better do 't; except she meant that I
By this should know my pain,
As prisoners then are manacled, when they're condemn'd to die.

Whate'er she meant by it, bury it with me,
For since I am
Love's martyr, it might breed idolatry,
If into other hands these relics came.
As 'twas humility
To afford to it all that a soul can do,
So 'tis some bravery,
That since you would have none of me, I bury some of you.

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