Though use make you apt to kill me, Let not to that, self-murder added be, And sacrilege, three sins in killing three.

In line 16 and 17, the speaker essentially tells the listener that if they were to kill the flea, it would be a ot only self-murder, but the murder of three lives: their own, the speaker's, and the flea's. In line 18, the speaker places the flea on this holy pedestal, treating it as if it were sacred . By doing this, he makes it seem as though killing it would be a greater offense than it really is.

Though parents grudge, and you, w'are met, <br /> And cloistered in these living walls of jet.

The speaker tells the listener to forget societal norms and barriers, telling them that they have already met in a sacred place, a reference to the temple or flea. The flea creates a close, private area for the two of them to be free from the view of others.

This flea is you and I, and this Our marriage bed, and marriage temple is;

The speaker tells the listener that the flea signifies their marriage bed and temple. By this logic, it sets the two being already married. By making the flea play the part of a temple and bed, it seemingly makes this small, insignificant bug, play a huge role within the poem.

Where we almost, nay more than married are.

Speaker says that the flea is more than just a unification, it carries: the speaker's, the listener's, and the flea's lives.

Oh stay, three lives in one flea spare,

Speaker essentially says to "spare the life of the flea as it has both their blood."