We’re having a seminar on John Donne’s A Valediction Forbidding Mourning. I think I understand most of what’s going on, but I have one question, which if you could help me understand, I would be very grateful.  Is this a poem about death, i.e. is the speaker dying?  Why does Donne mention virtuous men passing away?  What is the purpose of all of the alchemical references and circular imagery?

Okay so that wasn’t one question…

Here’s the best copy of the poem. It’s a few poems down.