[beaversmom]

Not only that, but he uses religious references to aid in his seduction, such as the line “Purpled thy nail with the blood of innocence”, in which he puts the flea in the role of Christ (and perhaps also the Trinity as he had previously referred to “three” lives within the flea), and the woman’s fingernail to the “nail” used to crucify the “blood of innocence”.

Interesting. I was wondering/thinking purpled thy nail was some sort of aroused phallic reference. :)

[zencycler]

As part of his seduction he was trying to stop the woman from killing the flea (”O stay, three lives in one flea spare,”) with his elaborate deceit. But when the woman tries to fend off his advances by killing the flea (”Cruel and sudden, hast thou since - Purpled thy nail in blood of innocence?)” he just uses her act to continue his metaphor in order to get her to “yield”.