Take heed of loving me, <br />At least remember, I forbade it thee; <br />Not that I shall repair my unthrifty waste <br />Of breath and blood, upon thy sighs, and tears, <br />By being to thee then what to me thou wast; <br />But, so great joy, our life at once outwears, <br />Then, lest thy love, by my death, frustrate be, <br />If thou love me, take heed of loving me. <br /> <br />Take heed of hating me, <br />Or too much triumph in the victory. <br />Not that I shall be mine own officer, <br />And hate with hate again retaliate; <br />But thou wilt lose the style of conqueror, <br />If I, thy conquest, perish by thy hate. <br />Then, lest my being nothing lessen thee, <br />If thou hate me, take heed of hating me. <br /> <br />Yet, love and hate me too, <br />So, these extremes shall neither`s office do; <br />Love me, that I may die the gentler way; <br />Hate me, because thy love`s too great for me; <br />Or let these two, themselves, not me decay; <br />So shall I live thy stage, not triumph be; <br />Lest thou thy love and hate and me undo, <br />To let me live, Oh love and hate me too.<br /><br />John Donne<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-prohibition/
