Valediction of Weeping by John Donne
A Valediction of Weeping by John Donne In “A Valediction: of Weeping” Donne is addressing his beloved before embarking on a long voyage. ... Unlike in “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning”, where love is independent of being together, here there is no spiritual pretence. ... Donne also sees a tear as an “emblem” for their love. ... At this point she is weeping the tears of separation too, and they mix with his to become one. Donne uses a similar idea in “The Flea” where the lovers’ bodily fluids - “two bloods” - mingle to make them into one. ... Donne feels that the weeping and sorrow for separation is only severing their parting. Like the “moon” his lover has the power to draw up tides of weeping both from herself as well as for him.