Confined Love

John Donne

1572 to 1631

Poem Image
Track 1

Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.

Easy Mode - Auto check enabled
Of old or new love, himselfe being false or weake,
A thousand it possesse, 
And not to seeke new lands, or not to deale withall?
Though they new lovers choose,
Beasts doe no joyntures lose
Only to lock up, or else to let them fall?
And thence a law did grow, 
Are Sunne, Moone, or Starres by law forbidden,
To smile where they list, or lend away their light?
Or built faire houses, set trees, and arbors,
Good is not good, unlesse
Some man unworthy to be possessor
If on womankind he might his anger wreake,
But we are made worse then those.
But doth wast with greedinesse.
Who e'r rigg'd faire ship to lie in harbors, 
But are other creatures so?
One might but one man know;
Are birds divorc'd, or are they chidden 
If they leave their mate, or lie abroad a night?
Thought his paine and shame would be lesser,