Somewhere between stanzas 2 and 3, the lady has crushed the flea – most likely to prove the speaker’s argument wrong.

Again, the speaker uses religious language (“blood of innocence”) to aid his argument. This, with “nail”, evokes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This links these two lines with the final lines of the previous stanza: in which, religious language is used to persuade the woman that to kill the flea is a “sacrilege” (l. 18).

Thomas Foster’s “How to Read Literature Like a Professor” states that “Poetry is full of Scripture.”. This is an excellent example of how common the Bible is in poetry.

I know you’re fed up with me your “use” (habits) lead you to want to kill me, but if you kill this little bug that’s holding both our bloods, it will be:

1) murder
2) suicide
3) sacrilege, because you squished the cloister

Is the “kill me” part sexual? The metaphor of orgasm as death shows up all the time, and she makes him die all the time (although not directly, which is what he’s complaining about).

Donne is recalling the religious reference to the trinity argument in l.10 (“three lives in one”) to support his language – thus, it is a “sacrilege” and “sin” (l.18) to kill the flea and thus to deny his argument

Although le petit mort (the small death) was a term first used around 1570s to mean nervous spams or a state of unconsciousness it wasn’t until the late 19th century that it was used to describe sexual awakening and orgasm. However it’s possible that Donne as the father of metaphysical used this metaphor before it was made popular.

He is saying that his lady deserves respect and not just be the subject of lust. She should not expect less. “What I’ve just talked about is what you deserve, and you shouldn’t settle for less!”

The reference to ‘rate’ implies that he would not love her less than the greatest amount achievable. It has been suggested that ‘rate’ also refers to “heart rate”.

The first stanza is one that deals in exaggeration. There are references to The Ganges and empires — vast distances. There are colossal numbers — ten years before the Flood; ‘a hundred years’ to praise her; ‘two hundred to adore hr breasts; 'thirty thousand’ for her body; an age for her heart.

‘And you should, if you please, refuse/Till the conversion of the Jews’ sets up the period of time of which his mistress may take to consider his proposition. Obviously this is an infinite time frame which makes it idealistic and romantic.“ See more.

The religion and traditions of Judaism have been passed on for well over 5000 years. Jewish people are not inclined to convert. So, Marvell’s mistress may wait forever to admit she wants to love him.