A Fever

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Marius Hancu - 11 May 2009 14:37 GMT

Hello:

I wasn't sure about this stanza:

-------
And yet she cannot waste by this,
Nor long bear this torturing wrong,
For more corruption needful is,
To fuel such a fever long.

A Fever
by John Donne
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Fever
---------
My reading is:

My love cannot be wasted/killed by this current fever
Nor for long does she have to tolerate this torture
For a much serious illness would be required
To extend this bout much longer

How about it?

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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CDB - 11 May 2009 16:05 GMT

> Hello:
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> For a much serious illness would be required
> To extend this bout much longer

As I read the poem, Donne has no hope that she will live. I think
both first lines of this aside are to the same effect: she will not
linger, growing slowly weaker, nor suffer from the fever for a long
time. Too much of her is heavenly virtue, and too little is corrupt
flesh, to fuel the fire for long.

Corruption and mortality in the midst of life are associated, as in I
Corinthians 15 (via Handel's "The Trumpet Shall Sound", frex*): "For
this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on
immortality." She is already half with God, and her struggle to
complete the journey will be short.

* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7555EtvhwKQ , about halfway through.

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Marius.Hancu@gmail.com - 11 May 2009 19:54 GMT

> > And yet she cannot waste by this,
> > Nor long bear this torturing wrong,
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> time. Too much of her is heavenly virtue, and too little is corrupt
> flesh, to fuel the fire for long.

I get the point, however my reading is still more optimistic.

Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / May 2009

A Fever