WITCHCRAFT BY A PICTURE.
by John Donne


I FIX mine eye on thine, and there
    Pity my picture burning in thine eye ;
My picture drown'd in a transparent tear,
    When I look lower I espy ;
        Hadst thou the wicked skill
By pictures made and marr'd, to kill,
How many ways mightst thou perform thy will?

But now I've drunk thy sweet salt tears,
    And though thou pour more, I'll depart ;
My picture vanished, vanish all fears
    That I can be endamaged by that art ;
        Though thou retain of me
One picture more, yet that will be,
Being in thine own heart, from all malice free.



Source:
Donne, John. Poems of John Donne. vol I.
E. K. Chambers, ed.
London: Lawrence & Bullen, 1896. 47.


to John Donne


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Created by Anniina Jokinenon January 10, 2000. Last updated July 13, 2014.