The Paradox
John Donne
1572 to 1631
Type into the gaps to complete the poem. To reset the game, click on the "Reset Game" button located below the poem. This will clear all the words you've placed in the blanks, and resetting the poem to its original state with empty blanks. If you prefer to drag and drop words, click the Drag & Drop button below. You can also print out the poem for use in the classroom.
No Lover saith, I love, nor any other
Can a perfect Lover;
Hee thinkes that else none can, will agree
That any loves but hee:
I cannot I lov'd, for who can say
Hee was kill'd yesterday?
Love with excesse of heat, more yong then old,
Death kills with too much cold;
Wee dye but once, and who lov'd last did die,
Hee that saith twice, doth lye:
For though hee seeme to move, stirre a while,
It doth the sense beguile.
Such is like the light which bideth yet
When the life is set,
Or like the heat, which fire solid matter
Leaves behinde, two houres after.
Once lov'd and dy'd; and am now become
Mine Epitaph Tombe.
Here dead men speake their last, and so I;
Love-slaine, loe, here I lye.