What according to the poet is their marriage bed and marriage temple? Write your answer in one word only. ( MEG 101 ) ( STUDY OF JOHN DONNE )

In the poem "The Flea" by John Donne, the speaker is trying to persuade his beloved to sleep with him. He argues that their union would be harmless and that they are already united in the flea that has bitten them both. The speaker goes on to say that the flea has joined them together in a holy bond, and that it serves as both their marriage bed and marriage temple. He says:

"And in this flea our two bloods mingled be;

Thou know'st that this cannot be said

A sin, nor shame, nor loss of maidenhead,

Yet this enjoys before it woo,

And pampered swells with one blood made of two,

And this, alas, is more than we would do."

Essentially, the poet is using the flea as a symbol of their physical union and arguing that their love is already consummated by the flea. He suggests that they might as well take their relationship to the next level, since they are already joined together in this way.