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Elegie II ''is a 1633 parody of clichéd Jacobean love poetry by John Donne. Donne composes metaphors out of the traditional elements, but arranges comparisons that would have been unappealing to his contemporaries. The result is a love poem that seemingly offers praise while actually meaning the opposite. A modernized edition is also available at Elegy II (1896).''

Marry, and love thy Flavia, for, ſhee Hath all things, whereby others beautious bee, For, though her eyes be ſmall, her mouth is great, Though they be Ivory, yet her teeth be jeat, Though they be dimme, yet ſhe is light enough, And though her harſh haire fall, her skinne is rough; What though her cheeks be yellow, her haire's red, Give her thine, and ſhe hath a maydenhead. (Read on.) Featured November 2006