The Curse Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABBAACCC DEEDDFFG DHHDDIII JDDJKDDD| Whoever guesses thinks or dreams he knows | A |
| Who is my mistress wither by this curse | B |
| Him only for his purse | B |
| May some dull whore to love dispose | A |
| And then yield unto all that are his foes | A |
| May he be scorn'd by one whom all else scorn | C |
| Forswear to others what to her he hath sworn | C |
| With fear of missing shame of getting torn | C |
| - | |
| Madness his sorrow gout his cramps may he | D |
| Make by but thinking who hath made him such | E |
| And may he feel no touch | E |
| Of conscience but of fame and be | D |
| Anguish'd not that 'twas sin but that 'twas she | D |
| Or may he for her virtue reverence | F |
| One that hates him only for impotence | F |
| And equal traitors be she and his sense | G |
| - | |
| May he dream treason and believe that he | D |
| Meant to perform it and confesses and die | H |
| And no record tell why | H |
| His sons which none of his may be | D |
| Inherit nothing but his infamy | D |
| Or may he so long parasites have fed | I |
| That he would fain be theirs whom he hath bred | I |
| And at the last be circumcised for bread | I |
| - | |
| The venom of all stepdames gamesters' gall | J |
| What tyrants and their subjects interwish | D |
| What plants mine beasts fowl fish | D |
| Can contribute all ill which all | J |
| Prophets or poets spake and all which shall | K |
| Be annex'd in schedules unto this by me | D |
| Fall on that man For if it be a she | D |
| Nature beforehand hath out curs d me | D |
John Donne
(1)
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About The Curse
The Curse is a poem by John Donne. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.
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cheyenne: umm should i read this out loud
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