The Broken Heart
John Donne 1572 (London) – 1631 (London)
He is stark mad, who ever says,
That he hath been in love an hour,
Yet not that love so soon decays,
But that it can ten in less space devour;
Who will believe me, if I swear
That I have had the plague a year ?
Who would not laugh at me, if I should say,
I saw a flask of powder burn a day ?
Ah, what trifle is a heart,
If once into Love’s hands it come!
All other griefs allow a part
To other griefs, and ask themselves but some,
They come to us, but us Love draws,
He swallows us, and never chaws:
By him, as by chain-shot, whole ranks do die,
He is the tyrant pike, our hearts the fry.
If`twere not so, what did become
Of my heart, when I first saw thee ?
I brought a heart into the room,
But from the room, I carried non with me;
If it had gone to thee, I know
Mine would have taught thy heart to show
More pity unto me: but Love, alas,
At one first blow did shiver it as glass.
Yet nothing can to nothing fall,
Nor any place be empty quite,
Therefore I think my breast hath all
Those pieces still, though they be not unite;
And now as broken glasses show
A hundred lesser faces, so
My rags of heart can like, wish, and adore,
But after one such love, can love no more.
About this poem
"The Broken Heart" is a poem by the English metaphysical poet John Donne, first published in 1633 as part of his collection of poems entitled "Songs and Sonnets". The poem explores the theme of love and heartbreak, and the impact that a failed relationship can have on a person's emotional and physical well-being. The speaker describes the pain and anguish of a broken heart, comparing it to physical injuries such as a bleeding wound or a broken bone. Throughout the poem, the speaker reflects on the nature of love and the frailty of human emotions, suggesting that the intensity of romantic love can lead to both joy and suffering. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Donne creates a poignant and timeless portrayal of the human experience of love and heartbreak. more »
Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified by acronimous on February 19, 2023
- 1:21 min read
- 2,074 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | ABXBXXCC DEDEXAFF EGXGHHII JKJKHHLL |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 1,192 |
Words | 270 |
Stanzas | 4 |
Stanza Lengths | 8, 8, 8, 8 |
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"The Broken Heart" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 4 Dec. 2023. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/22587/the-broken-heart>.
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