This is seen the verse "Thou know'st that this cannot be said A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead" (Donne). Unfortunately for the seducer, the flea has succeded where he failed. The social conventions of marriage and consumation are symbolized by it in the verse where Donne speaks of marriage bed and marriage temple." The killing of the flea would be like killing his lover and symbolizes the shortness of life and the immediacy and importance of finding love above all else (ibid.).

On the surface of it all, the Marvell poem appears to expound the concept of seizing the moment, however in that the works are different in that Donne is using an animal metaphor while Marvell is using that of a coy mistress instead (Donne and Marvell). Also, the Marvell work is a warning to the lady against the inflated flattery men use to seduce and bed...
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