The Legacy. Songs and Sonnets. John Donne. 1896. The Poems of John Donne

John Donne (1572–1631). The Poems of John Donne. 1896.

Songs and Sonnets

The Legacy


WHEN last I died, 1 and, dear, I die
As often as from thee I go,
Though it be but an hour ago
—And lovers’ hours be full eternity—
I can remember yet, that I	5
Something did say, and something did bestow;
Though I be dead, which sent me, I might be 2
Mine own executor, and legacy.

I heard me say, “Tell her anon,
That myself,” that is you, not I,	10
“Did kill me,” and when I felt me die,
I bid me send my heart, when I was gone;
But I alas! could there find none;
When I had ripp’d, and search’d where hearts should lie, 3
It kill’d me again, that I who still was true	15
In life, in my last will should cozen you.

Yet I found something like a heart,
But colours it, and corners had;
It was not good, it was not bad,
It was entire to none, and few had part;	20
As good as could be made by art
It seemed, and therefore for our loss be sad. 4
I meant to send that heart instead of mine,
But O! no man could hold it, for ’twas thine.

Note 1. l. 1. So 1669; 1633, I died last [back]

Note 2. l. 7. So 1669; 1633, I should be; 1635, which meant me, I should be [back]

Note 3. l. 14. So 1635; 1633, ripp’d me … did lie [back]

Note 4. l. 22. So 1669; 1633, losses sad [back]