Twicknam Garden – Poem by John Donne

by
  1. Blasted with sighs, and surrounded with tears,
  2. Hither I come to seek the spring,
  3. And at mine eyes, and at mine ears,
  4. Receive such balms as else cure everything.
  5. But O, self-traitor, I do bring
  6. The spider love, which transubstantiates all,
  7. And can convert manna to gall,
  8. And that this place may thoroughly be thought
  9. True paradise, I have the serpent brought.
  10. ’Twere wholesomer for me that winter did
  11. Benight the glory of this place,
  12. And that a grave frost did forbid
  13. These trees to laugh and mock me to my face;
  14. But that I may not this disgrace
  15. Endure, nor yet leave loving, Love, let me
  16. Some senseless piece of this place be;
  17. Make me a mandrake, so I may grow here,
  18. Or a stone fountain weeping out my year.
  19. Hither with crystal phials, lovers, come,
  20. And take my tears, which are love’s wine,
  21. And try your mistress’ tears at home,
  22. For all are false, that taste not just like mine.
  23. Alas, hearts do not in eyes shine,
  24. Nor can you more judge women’s thoughts by tears,
  25. Than by her shadow what she wears.
  26. O perverse sex, where none is true but she,
  27. Who’s therefore true, because her truth kills me.