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xproject gutenbergxs the complete works of william shakespearex by william shakespeare
this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the united states and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoeverx you may copy itx give it away or rexuse it under the terms
of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at
wwwxgutenbergxorgx if you are not located in the united statesx youxll
have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using
this ebookx
titlex the complete works of william shakespeare
authorx william shakespeare
release datex january xxxx xebook xxxxx
last updatedx august xx xxxx
languagex english
character set encodingx utfxx
xxx start of this project gutenberg ebook the complete works of william shakespeare xxx
the complete works of william shakespeare
by william shakespeare
contents
the sonnets
allxs well that ends well
the tragedy of antony and cleopatra
as you like it
the comedy of errors
the tragedy of coriolanus
cymbeline
the tragedy of hamletx prince of denmark
the first part of king henry the fourth
the second part of king henry the fourth
the life of king henry the fifth
the first part of henry the sixth
the second part of king henry the sixth
the third part of king henry the sixth
king henry the eighth
king john
the tragedy of julius caesar
the tragedy of king lear
lovexs labourxs lost
the tragedy of macbeth
measure for measure
the merchant of venice
the merry wives of windsor
a midsummer nightxs dream
much ado about nothing
the tragedy of othellox moor of venice
periclesx prince of tyre
king richard the second
king richard the third
the tragedy of romeo and juliet
the taming of the shrew
the tempest
the life of timon of athens
the tragedy of titus andronicus
the history of troilus and cressida
twelfth nightx orx what you will
the two gentlemen of verona
the two noble kinsmen
the winterxs tale
a loverxs complaint
the passionate pilgrim
the phoenix and the turtle
the rape of lucrece
venus and adonis
the sonnets
x
from fairest creatures we desire increasex
that thereby beautyxs rose might never diex
but as the riper should by time deceasex
his tender heir might bear his memoryx
but thou contracted to thine own bright eyesx
feedxst thy lightxs flame with selfxsubstantial fuelx
making a famine where abundance liesx
thy self thy foex to thy sweet self too cruelx
thou that art now the worldxs fresh ornamentx
and only herald to the gaudy springx
within thine own bud buriest thy contentx
andx tender churlx makxst waste in niggardingx
pity the worldx or else this glutton bex
to eat the worldxs duex by the grave and theex
x
when forty winters shall besiege thy browx
and dig deep trenches in thy beautyxs fieldx
thy youthxs proud livery so gazed on nowx
will be a tattered weed of small worth heldx
then being askedx where all thy beauty liesx
where all the treasure of thy lusty daysx
to sayx within thine own deep sunken eyesx
were an allxeating shamex and thriftless praisex
how much more praise deservxd thy beautyxs usex
if thou couldst answer xthis fair child of mine
shall sum my countx and make my old excusexx
proving his beauty by succession thinex
this were to be new made when thou art oldx
and see thy blood warm when thou feelxst it coldx
x
look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewestx
now is the time that face should form anotherx
whose fresh repair if now thou not renewestx
thou dost beguile the worldx unbless some motherx
for where is she so fair whose uneared womb
disdains the tillage of thy husbandryx
or who is he so fond will be the tomb
of his selfxlove to stop posterityx
thou art thy motherxs glass and she in thee
calls back the lovely april of her primex
so thou through windows of thine age shalt seex
despite of wrinkles this thy golden timex
but if thou live remembered not to bex
die single and thine image dies with theex
x
unthrifty loveliness why dost thou spendx
upon thy self thy beautyxs legacyx
naturexs bequest gives nothing but doth lendx
and being frank she lends to those are freex
then beauteous niggard why dost thou abusex
the bounteous largess given thee to givex
profitless usurer why dost thou use
so great a sum of sums yet canst not livex
for having traffic with thy self alonex
thou of thy self thy sweet self dost deceivex
then how when nature calls thee to be gonex
what acceptable audit canst thou leavex
thy unused beauty must be tombed with theex
which used lives thx executor to bex
x
those hours that with gentle work did frame
the lovely gaze where every eye doth dwell
will play the tyrants to the very samex
and that unfair which fairly doth excelx
for neverxresting time leads summer on
to hideous winter and confounds him therex
sap checked with frost and lusty leaves quite gonex
beauty oxerxsnowed and bareness every wherex
then were not summerxs distillation left
a liquid prisoner pent in walls of glassx
beautyxs effect with beauty were bereftx
nor it nor no remembrance what it wasx
but flowers distilled though they with winter meetx
leese but their showx their substance still lives sweetx
x
then let not winterxs ragged hand defacex
in thee thy summer ere thou be distilledx
make sweet some vialx treasure thou some placex
with beautyxs treasure ere it be selfxkilledx
that use is not forbidden usuryx
which happies those that pay the willing loanx
thatxs for thy self to breed another theex
or ten times happier be it ten for onex
ten times thy self were happier than thou artx
if ten of thine ten times refigured theex
then what could death do if thou shouldst departx
leaving thee living in posterityx
be not selfxwilled for thou art much too fairx
to be deathxs conquest and make worms thine heirx
x
lo in the orient when the gracious light
lifts up his burning headx each under eye
doth homage to his newxappearing sightx
serving with looks his sacred majestyx
and having climbed the steepxup heavenly hillx
resembling strong youth in his middle agex
yet mortal looks adore his beauty stillx
attending on his golden pilgrimagex
but when from highmost pitch with weary carx
like feeble age he reeleth from the dayx
the eyes xfore duteousx now converted are
from his low tract and look another wayx
so thoux thy self outxgoing in thy noonx
unlooked on diest unless thou get a sonx
x
music to hearx why hearxst thou music sadlyx
sweets with sweets war notx joy delights in joyx
why lovxst thou that which thou receivxst not gladlyx
or else receivxst with pleasure thine annoyx
if the true concord of wellxtuned soundsx
by unions married do offend thine earx
they do but sweetly chide theex who confounds
in singleness the parts that thou shouldst bearx
mark how one string sweet husband to anotherx
strikes each in each by mutual orderingx
resembling sirex and childx and happy motherx
who all in onex one pleasing note do singx
whose speechless song being manyx seeming onex
sings this to theex xthou single wilt prove nonexx
x
is it for fear to wet a widowxs eyex
that thou consumxst thy self in single lifex
ahx if thou issueless shalt hap to diex
the world will wail thee like a makeless wifex
the world will be thy widow and still weepx
that thou no form of thee hast left behindx
when every private widow well may keepx
by childrenxs eyesx her husbandxs shape in mindx
look what an unthrift in the world doth spend
shifts but his placex for still the world enjoys itx
but beautyxs waste hath in the world an endx
and kept unused the user so destroys itx
no love toward others in that bosom sits
that on himself such murdxrous shame commitsx
xx
for shame deny that thou bearxst love to any
who for thy self art so unprovidentx
grant if thou wiltx thou art beloved of manyx
but that thou none lovxst is most evidentx
for thou art so possessed with murdxrous hatex
that xgainst thy self thou stickxst not to conspirex
seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
which to repair should be thy chief desirex
o change thy thoughtx that i may change my mindx
shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle lovex
be as thy presence is gracious and kindx
or to thy self at least kindxhearted provex
make thee another self for love of mex
that beauty still may live in thine or theex
xx
as fast as thou shalt wane so fast thou growxstx
in one of thinex from that which thou departestx
and that fresh blood which youngly thou bestowxstx
thou mayst call thinex when thou from youth convertestx
herein lives wisdomx beautyx and increasex
without this follyx agex and cold decayx
if all were minded sox the times should ceasex
and threescore year would make the world awayx
let those whom nature hath not made for storex
harshx featurelessx and rudex barrenly perishx
look whom she best endowedx she gave thee morex
which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherishx
she carved thee for her sealx and meant therebyx
thou shouldst print morex not let that copy diex
xx
when i do count the clock that tells the timex
and see the brave day sunk in hideous nightx
when i behold the violet past primex
and sable curls all silvered oxer with whitex
when lofty trees i see barren of leavesx
which erst from heat did canopy the herd
and summerxs green all girded up in sheaves
borne on the bier with white and bristly beardx
then of thy beauty do i question make
that thou among the wastes of time must gox
since sweets and beauties do themselves forsakex
and die as fast as they see others growx
and nothing xgainst timexs scythe can make defence
save breed to brave himx when he takes thee hencex
xx
o that you were your selfx but love you are
no longer yoursx than you your self here livex
against this coming end you should preparex
and your sweet semblance to some other givex
so should that beauty which you hold in lease
find no determinationx then you were
your self again after your selfxs deceasex
when your sweet issue your sweet form should bearx
who lets so fair a house fall to decayx
which husbandry in honour might upholdx
against the stormy gusts of winterxs day
and barren rage of deathxs eternal coldx
o none but unthriftsx dear my love you knowx
you had a fatherx let your son say sox
xx
not from the stars do i my judgement pluckx
and yet methinks i have astronomyx
but not to tell of goodx or evil luckx
of plaguesx of dearthsx or seasonsx qualityx
nor can i fortune to brief minutes tellx
pointing to each his thunderx rain and windx
or say with princes if it shall go well
by oft predict that i in heaven findx
but from thine eyes my knowledge i derivex
and constant stars in them i read such art
as truth and beauty shall together thrive
if from thy selfx to store thou wouldst convertx
or else of thee this i prognosticatex
thy end is truthxs and beautyxs doom and datex
xx
when i consider every thing that grows
holds in perfection but a little momentx
that this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
whereon the stars in secret influence commentx
when i perceive that men as plants increasex
cheered and checked even by the selfxsame skyx
vaunt in their youthful sapx at height decreasex
and wear their brave state out of memoryx
then the conceit of this inconstant stayx
sets you most rich in youth before my sightx
where wasteful time debateth with decay
to change your day of youth to sullied nightx
and all in war with time for love of youx
as he takes from youx i engraft you newx
xx
but wherefore do not you a mightier way
make war upon this bloody tyrant timex
and fortify your self in your decay
with means more blessed than my barren rhymex
now stand you on the top of happy hoursx
and many maiden gardens yet unsetx
with virtuous wish would bear you living flowersx
much liker than your painted counterfeitx
so should the lines of life that life repair
which this xtimexs pencilx or my pupil pen
neither in inward worth nor outward fair
can make you live your self in eyes of menx
to give away your selfx keeps your self stillx
and you must live drawn by your own sweet skillx
xx
who will believe my verse in time to come
if it were filled with your most high desertsx
though yet heaven knows it is but as a tomb
which hides your lifex and shows not half your partsx
if i could write the beauty of your eyesx
and in fresh numbers number all your gracesx
the age to come would say this poet liesx
such heavenly touches nexer touched earthly facesx
so should my papers xyellowed with their agex
be scornedx like old men of less truth than tonguex
and your true rights be termed a poetxs ragex
and stretched metre of an antique songx
but were some child of yours alive that timex
you should live twice in itx and in my rhymex
xx
shall i compare thee to a summerxs dayx
thou art more lovely and more temperatex
rough winds do shake the darling buds of mayx
and summerxs lease hath all too short a datex
sometime too hot the eye of heaven shinesx
and often is his gold complexion dimmedx
and every fair from fair sometime declinesx
by chancex or naturexs changing course untrimmedx
but thy eternal summer shall not fadex
nor lose possession of that fair thou owxstx
nor shall death brag thou wandxrest in his shadex
when in eternal lines to time thou growxstx
so long as men can breathe or eyes can seex
so long lives thisx and this gives life to theex
xx
devouring time blunt thou the lionxs pawsx
and make the earth devour her own sweet broodx
pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tigerxs jawsx
and burn the longxlived phoenixx in her bloodx
make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleetxstx
and do whatexer thou wilt swiftxfooted time
to the wide world and all her fading sweetsx
but i forbid thee one most heinous crimex
o carve not with thy hours my lovexs fair browx
nor draw no lines there with thine antique penx
him in thy course untainted do allowx
for beautyxs pattern to succeeding menx
yet do thy worst old timex despite thy wrongx
my love shall in my verse ever live youngx
xx
a womanxs face with naturexs own hand paintedx
hast thou the master mistress of my passionx
a womanxs gentle heart but not acquainted
with shifting change as is false womenxs fashionx
an eye more bright than theirsx less false in rollingx
gilding the object whereupon it gazethx
a man in hue all hues in his controllingx
which steals menxs eyes and womenxs souls amazethx
and for a woman wert thou first createdx
till nature as she wrought thee fell axdotingx
and by addition me of thee defeatedx
by adding one thing to my purpose nothingx
but since she pricked thee out for womenxs pleasurex
mine be thy love and thy lovexs use their treasurex
xx
so is it not with me as with that musex
stirred by a painted beauty to his versex
who heaven it self for ornament doth usex
and every fair with his fair doth rehearsex
making a couplement of proud compare
with sun and moonx with earth and seaxs rich gemsx
with aprilxs firstxborn flowers and all things rarex
that heavenxs air in this huge rondure hemsx
o let me true in love but truly writex
and then believe mex my love is as fairx
as any motherxs childx though not so bright
as those gold candles fixed in heavenxs airx
let them say more that like of hearsay wellx
i will not praise that purpose not to sellx
xx
my glass shall not persuade me i am oldx
so long as youth and thou are of one datex
but when in thee timexs furrows i beholdx
then look i death my days should expiatex
for all that beauty that doth cover theex
is but the seemly raiment of my heartx
which in thy breast doth livex as thine in mex
how can i then be elder than thou artx
o therefore love be of thyself so waryx
as i not for my selfx but for thee willx
bearing thy heart which i will keep so chary
as tender nurse her babe from faring illx
presume not on thy heart when mine is slainx
thou gavxst me thine not to give back againx
xx
as an unperfect actor on the stagex
who with his fear is put beside his partx
or some fierce thing replete with too much ragex
whose strengthxs abundance weakens his own heartx
so i for fear of trustx forget to sayx
the perfect ceremony of lovexs ritex
and in mine own lovexs strength seem to decayx
oxercharged with burthen of mine own lovexs mightx
o let my looks be then the eloquencex
and dumb presagers of my speaking breastx
who plead for lovex and look for recompensex
more than that tongue that more hath more expressedx
o learn to read what silent love hath writx
to hear with eyes belongs to lovexs fine witx
xx
mine eye hath played the painter and hath stelledx
thy beautyxs form in table of my heartx
my body is the frame wherein xtis heldx
and perspective it is best painterxs artx
for through the painter must you see his skillx
to find where your true image pictured liesx
which in my bosomxs shop is hanging stillx
that hath his windows glazed with thine eyesx
now see what good turns eyes for eyes have donex
mine eyes have drawn thy shapex and thine for me
are windows to my breastx wherexthrough the sun
delights to peepx to gaze therein on theex
yet eyes this cunning want to grace their artx
they draw but what they seex know not the heartx
xx
let those who are in favour with their starsx
of public honour and proud titles boastx
whilst i whom fortune of such triumph bars
unlooked for joy in that i honour mostx
great princesx favourites their fair leaves spreadx
but as the marigold at the sunxs eyex
and in themselves their pride lies buriedx
for at a frown they in their glory diex
the painful warrior famoused for fightx
after a thousand victories once foiledx
is from the book of honour razed quitex
and all the rest forgot for which he toiledx
then happy i that love and am beloved
where i may not remove nor be removedx
xx
lord of my lovex to whom in vassalage
thy merit hath my duty strongly knitx
to thee i send this written embassage
to witness dutyx not to show my witx
duty so greatx which wit so poor as mine
may make seem barex in wanting words to show itx
but that i hope some good conceit of thine
in thy soulxs thought xall nakedx will bestow itx
till whatsoever star that guides my movingx
points on me graciously with fair aspectx
and puts apparel on my tattered lovingx
to show me worthy of thy sweet respectx
then may i dare to boast how i do love theex
till thenx not show my head where thou mayst prove mex
xx
weary with toilx i haste me to my bedx
the dear respose for limbs with travel tiredx
but then begins a journey in my head
to work my mindx when bodyxs workxs expiredx
for then my thoughts xfrom far where i abidex
intend a zealous pilgrimage to theex
and keep my drooping eyelids open widex
looking on darkness which the blind do seex
save that my soulxs imaginary sight
presents thy shadow to my sightless viewx
which like a jewel xhung in ghastly nightx
makes black night beauteousx and her old face newx
lo thus by day my limbsx by night my mindx
for theex and for my selfx no quiet findx
xx
how can i then return in happy plight
that am debarred the benefit of restx
when dayxs oppression is not eased by nightx
but day by night and night by day oppressedx
and each xthough enemies to eitherxs reignx
do in consent shake hands to torture mex
the one by toilx the other to complain
how far i toilx still farther off from theex
i tell the day to please him thou art brightx
and dost him grace when clouds do blot the heavenx
so flatter i the swartxcomplexioned nightx
when sparkling stars twire not thou gildxst the evenx
but day doth daily draw my sorrows longerx
and night doth nightly make griefxs length seem stronger
xx
when in disgrace with fortune and menxs eyesx
i all alone beweep my outcast statex
and trouble deaf heaven with my bootless criesx
and look upon my self and curse my fatex
wishing me like to one more rich in hopex
featured like himx like him with friends possessedx
desiring this manxs artx and that manxs scopex
with what i most enjoy contented leastx
yet in these thoughts my self almost despisingx
haply i think on theex and then my statex
xlike to the lark at break of day arising
from sullen earthx sings hymns at heavenxs gatex
for thy sweet love remembered such wealth bringsx
that then i scorn to change my state with kingsx
xx
when to the sessions of sweet silent thoughtx
i summon up remembrance of things pastx
i sigh the lack of many a thing i soughtx
and with old woes new wail my dear timexs wastex
then can i drown an eye xunused to flowx
for precious friends hid in deathxs dateless nightx
and weep afresh lovexs long since cancelled woex
and moan thx expense of many a vanished sightx
then can i grieve at grievances foregonex
and heavily from woe to woe tell oxer
the sad account of forexbemoaned moanx
which i new pay as if not paid beforex
but if the while i think on thee xdear friendx
all losses are restoredx and sorrows endx
xx
thy bosom is endeared with all heartsx
which i by lacking have supposed deadx
and there reigns love and all lovexs loving partsx
and all those friends which i thought buriedx
how many a holy and obsequious tear
hath dear religious love stolxn from mine eyex
as interest of the deadx which now appearx
but things removed that hidden in thee liex
thou art the grave where buried love doth livex
hung with the trophies of my lovers gonex
who all their parts of me to thee did givex
that due of manyx now is thine alonex
their images i lovedx i view in theex
and thou xall theyx hast all the all of mex
xx
if thou survive my wellxcontented dayx
when that churl death my bones with dust shall cover
and shalt by fortune once more rexsurvey
these poor rude lines of thy deceased loverx
compare them with the bettxring of the timex
and though they be outstripped by every penx
reserve them for my lovex not for their rhymex
exceeded by the height of happier menx
o then vouchsafe me but this loving thoughtx
xhad my friendxs muse grown with this growing agex
a dearer birth than this his love had brought
to march in ranks of better equipagex
but since he died and poets better provex
theirs for their style ixll readx his for his lovexx
xx
full many a glorious morning have i seenx
flatter the mountain tops with sovereign eyex
kissing with golden face the meadows greenx
gilding pale streams with heavenly alchemyx
anon permit the basest clouds to ridex
with ugly rack on his celestial facex
and from the forlorn world his visage hide
stealing unseen to west with this disgracex
even so my sun one early morn did shinex
with all triumphant splendour on my browx
but out alackx he was but one hour minex
the region cloud hath masked him from me nowx
yet him for thisx my love no whit disdainethx
suns of the world may stainx when heavenxs sun stainethx
xx
why didst thou promise such a beauteous dayx
and make me travel forth without my cloakx
to let base clouds oxertake me in my wayx
hiding thy bravxry in their rotten smokex
xtis not enough that through the cloud thou breakx
to dry the rain on my stormxbeaten facex
for no man well of such a salve can speakx
that heals the woundx and cures not the disgracex
nor can thy shame give physic to my griefx
though thou repentx yet i have still the lossx
thx offenderxs sorrow lends but weak relief
to him that bears the strong offencexs crossx
ah but those tears are pearl which thy love shedsx
and they are richx and ransom all ill deedsx
xx
no more be grieved at that which thou hast donex
roses have thornsx and silver fountains mudx
clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sunx
and loathsome canker lives in sweetest budx
all men make faultsx and even i in thisx
authorizing thy trespass with comparex
my self corrupting salving thy amissx
excusing thy sins more than thy sins arex
for to thy sensual fault i bring in sensex
thy adverse party is thy advocatex
and xgainst my self a lawful plea commencex
such civil war is in my love and hatex
that i an accessary needs must bex
to that sweet thief which sourly robs from mex
xx
let me confess that we two must be twainx
although our undivided loves are onex
so shall those blots that do with me remainx
without thy helpx by me be borne alonex
in our two loves there is but one respectx
though in our lives a separable spitex
which though it alter not lovexs sole effectx
yet doth it steal sweet hours from lovexs delightx
i may not evermore acknowledge theex
lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shamex
nor thou with public kindness honour mex
unless thou take that honour from thy namex
but do not sox i love thee in such sortx
as thou being minex mine is thy good reportx
xx
as a decrepit father takes delightx
to see his active child do deeds of youthx
so ix made lame by fortunexs dearest spite
take all my comfort of thy worth and truthx
for whether beautyx birthx or wealthx or witx
or any of these allx or allx or more
entitled in thy partsx do crowned sitx
i make my love engrafted to this storex
so then i am not lamex poorx nor despisedx
whilst that this shadow doth such substance givex
that i in thy abundance am sufficedx
and by a part of all thy glory livex
look what is bestx that best i wish in theex
this wish i havex then ten times happy mex
xx
how can my muse want subject to invent
while thou dost breathe that pourxst into my versex
thine own sweet argumentx too excellentx
for every vulgar paper to rehearsex
o give thy self the thanks if aught in mex
worthy perusal stand against thy sightx
for whoxs so dumb that cannot write to theex
when thou thy self dost give invention lightx
be thou the tenth musex ten times more in worth
than those old nine which rhymers invocatex
and he that calls on theex let him bring forth
eternal numbers to outlive long datex
if my slight muse do please these curious daysx
the pain be minex but thine shall be the praisex
xx
o how thy worth with manners may i singx
when thou art all the better part of mex
what can mine own praise to mine own self bringx
and what isxt but mine own when i praise theex
even for thisx let us divided livex
and our dear love lose name of single onex
that by this separation i may givex
that due to thee which thou deservxst alonex
o absence what a torment wouldst thou provex
were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leavex
to entertain the time with thoughts of lovex
which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceivex
and that thou teachest how to make one twainx
by praising him here who doth hence remainx
xx
take all my lovesx my lovex yea take them allx
what hast thou then more than thou hadst beforex
no lovex my lovex that thou mayst true love callx
all mine was thinex before thou hadst this morex
then if for my lovex thou my love receivestx
i cannot blame theex for my love thou usestx
but yet be blamedx if thou thy self deceivest
by wilful taste of what thy self refusestx
i do forgive thy robbery gentle thief
although thou steal thee all my povertyx
and yet love knows it is a greater grief
to bear greater wrongx than hatexs known injuryx
lascivious gracex in whom all ill well showsx
kill me with spites yet we must not be foesx
xx
those pretty wrongs that liberty commitsx
when i am sometime absent from thy heartx
thy beautyx and thy years full well befitsx
for still temptation follows where thou artx
gentle thou artx and therefore to be wonx
beauteous thou artx therefore to be assailedx
and when a woman woosx what womanxs sonx
will sourly leave her till he have prevailedx
ay mex but yet thou mightst my seat forbearx
and chide thy beautyx and thy straying youthx
who lead thee in their riot even there
where thou art forced to break a twofold truthx
hers by thy beauty tempting her to theex
thine by thy beauty being false to mex
xx
that thou hast her it is not all my griefx
and yet it may be said i loved her dearlyx
that she hath thee is of my wailing chiefx
a loss in love that touches me more nearlyx
loving offenders thus i will excuse yex
thou dost love herx because thou knowxst i love herx
and for my sake even so doth she abuse mex
suffxring my friend for my sake to approve herx
if i lose theex my loss is my lovexs gainx
and losing herx my friend hath found that lossx
both find each otherx and i lose both twainx
and both for my sake lay on me this crossx
but herexs the joyx my friend and i are onex
sweet flatteryx then she loves but me alonex
xx
when most i wink then do mine eyes best seex
for all the day they view things unrespectedx
but when i sleepx in dreams they look on theex
and darkly brightx are bright in dark directedx
then thou whose shadow shadows doth make bright
how would thy shadowxs formx form happy showx
to the clear day with thy much clearer lightx
when to unseeing eyes thy shade shines sox
how would xi sayx mine eyes be blessed madex
by looking on thee in the living dayx
when in dead night thy fair imperfect shadex
through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stayx
all days are nights to see till i see theex
and nights bright days when dreams do show thee mex
xx
if the dull substance of my flesh were thoughtx
injurious distance should not stop my wayx
for then despite of space i would be broughtx
from limits far remotex where thou dost stayx
no matter then although my foot did stand
upon the farthest earth removed from theex
for nimble thought can jump both sea and landx
as soon as think the place where he would bex
but ahx thought kills me that i am not thought
to leap large lengths of miles when thou art gonex
but that so much of earth and water wroughtx
i must attendx timexs leisure with my moanx
receiving nought by elements so slowx
but heavy tearsx badges of eitherxs woex
xx
the other twox slight airx and purging firex
are both with theex wherever i abidex
the first my thoughtx the other my desirex
these presentxabsent with swift motion slidex
for when these quicker elements are gone
in tender embassy of love to theex
my life being made of fourx with two alonex
sinks down to deathx oppressed with melancholyx
until lifexs composition be recuredx
by those swift messengers returned from theex
who even but now come back again assuredx
of thy fair healthx recounting it to mex
this toldx i joyx but then no longer gladx
i send them back again and straight grow sadx
xx
mine eye and heart are at a mortal warx
how to divide the conquest of thy sightx
mine eyex my heart thy picturexs sight would barx
my heartx mine eye the freedom of that rightx
my heart doth plead that thou in him dost liex
xa closet never pierced with crystal eyesx
but the defendant doth that plea denyx
and says in him thy fair appearance liesx
to side this title is impanelled
a quest of thoughtsx all tenants to the heartx
and by their verdict is determined
the clear eyexs moietyx and the dear heartxs partx
as thusx mine eyexs due is thy outward partx
and my heartxs rightx thy inward love of heartx
xx
betwixt mine eye and heart a league is tookx
and each doth good turns now unto the otherx
when that mine eye is famished for a lookx
or heart in love with sighs himself doth smotherx
with my lovexs picture then my eye doth feastx
and to the painted banquet bids my heartx
another time mine eye is my heartxs guestx
and in his thoughts of love doth share a partx
so either by thy picture or my lovex
thy self awayx art present still with mex
for thou not farther than my thoughts canst movex
and i am still with themx and they with theex
or if they sleepx thy picture in my sight
awakes my heartx to heartxs and eyexs delightx
xx
how careful was i when i took my wayx
each trifle under truest bars to thrustx
that to my use it might unused stay
from hands of falsehoodx in sure wards of trustx
but thoux to whom my jewels trifles arex
most worthy comfortx now my greatest griefx
thou best of dearestx and mine only carex
art left the prey of every vulgar thiefx
thee have i not locked up in any chestx
save where thou art notx though i feel thou artx
within the gentle closure of my breastx
from whence at pleasure thou mayst come and partx
and even thence thou wilt be stolxn i fearx
for truth proves thievish for a prize so dearx
xx
against that time xif ever that time comex
when i shall see thee frown on my defectsx
when as thy love hath cast his utmost sumx
called to that audit by advised respectsx
against that time when thou shalt strangely passx
and scarcely greet me with that sun thine eyex
when love converted from the thing it was
shall reasons find of settled gravityx
against that time do i ensconce me here
within the knowledge of mine own desertx
and this my handx against my self uprearx
to guard the lawful reasons on thy partx
to leave poor mex thou hast the strength of lawsx
since why to lovex i can allege no causex
xx
how heavy do i journey on the wayx
when what i seek xmy weary travelxs endx
doth teach that case and that repose to say
xthus far the miles are measured from thy friendxx
the beast that bears mex tired with my woex
plods dully onx to bear that weight in mex
as if by some instinct the wretch did know
his rider loved not speed being made from theex
the bloody spur cannot provoke him onx
that sometimes anger thrusts into his hidex
which heavily he answers with a groanx
more sharp to me than spurring to his sidex
for that same groan doth put this in my mindx
my grief lies onward and my joy behindx
xx
thus can my love excuse the slow offencex
of my dull bearerx when from thee i speedx
from where thou artx why should i haste me thencex
till i return of posting is no needx
o what excuse will my poor beast then findx
when swift extremity can seem but slowx
then should i spur though mounted on the windx
in winged speed no motion shall i knowx
then can no horse with my desire keep pacex
therefore desire xof perfectxst love being madex
shall neigh xno dull fleshx in his fiery racex
but lovex for lovex thus shall excuse my jadex
since from thee goingx he went wilfulxslowx
towards thee ixll runx and give him leave to gox
xx
so am i as the rich whose blessed keyx
can bring him to his sweet upxlocked treasurex
the which he will not every hour surveyx
for blunting the fine point of seldom pleasurex
therefore are feasts so solemn and so rarex
since seldom coming in that long year setx
like stones of worth they thinly placed arex
or captain jewels in the carcanetx
so is the time that keeps you as my chest
or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hidex
to make some special instant specialxblestx
by new unfolding his imprisoned pridex
blessed are you whose worthiness gives scopex
being had to triumphx being lacked to hopex
xx
what is your substancex whereof are you madex
that millions of strange shadows on you tendx
since every onex hath every onex one shadex
and you but onex can every shadow lendx
describe adonis and the counterfeitx
is poorly imitated after youx
on helenxs cheek all art of beauty setx
and you in grecian tires are painted newx
speak of the springx and foison of the yearx
the one doth shadow of your beauty showx
the other as your bounty doth appearx
and you in every blessed shape we knowx
in all external grace you have some partx
but you like nonex none you for constant heartx
xx
o how much more doth beauty beauteous seemx
by that sweet ornament which truth doth givex
the rose looks fairx but fairer we it deem
for that sweet odourx which doth in it livex
the canker blooms have full as deep a dyex
as the perfumed tincture of the rosesx
hang on such thornsx and play as wantonlyx
when summerxs breath their masked buds disclosesx
but for their virtue only is their showx
they live unwooedx and unrespected fadex
die to themselvesx sweet roses do not sox
of their sweet deathsx are sweetest odours madex
and so of youx beauteous and lovely youthx
when that shall fadex my verse distills your truthx
xx
not marblex nor the gilded monuments
of princes shall outlive this powerful rhymex
but you shall shine more bright in these contents
than unswept stonex besmeared with sluttish timex
when wasteful war shall statues overturnx
and broils root out the work of masonryx
nor mars his swordx nor warxs quick fire shall burnx
the living record of your memoryx
xgainst deathx and allxoblivious enmity
shall you pace forthx your praise shall still find roomx
even in the eyes of all posterity
that wear this world out to the ending doomx
so till the judgment that your self arisex
you live in thisx and dwell in loversx eyesx
xx
sweet love renew thy forcex be it not said
thy edge should blunter be than appetitex
which but toxday by feeding is allayedx
toxmorrow sharpened in his former mightx
so love be thoux although toxday thou fill
thy hungry eyesx even till they wink with fulnessx
toxmorrow see againx and do not kill
the spirit of lovex with a perpetual dulnessx
let this sad interim like the ocean be
which parts the shorex where two contracted newx
come daily to the banksx that when they seex
return of lovex more blest may be the viewx
or call it winterx which being full of carex
makes summerxs welcomex thrice more wishedx more rarex
xx
being your slave what should i do but tendx
upon the hoursx and times of your desirex
i have no precious time at all to spendx
nor services to do till you requirex
nor dare i chide the worldxwithoutxend hourx
whilst i xmy sovereignx watch the clock for youx
nor think the bitterness of absence sourx
when you have bid your servant once adieux
nor dare i question with my jealous thoughtx
where you may bex or your affairs supposex
but like a sad slave stay and think of nought
save where you arex how happy you make thosex
so true a fool is lovex that in your willx
xthough you do any thingx he thinks no illx
xx
that god forbidx that made me first your slavex
i should in thought control your times of pleasurex
or at your hand thx account of hours to cravex
being your vassal bound to stay your leisurex
o let me suffer xbeing at your beckx
thx imprisoned absence of your libertyx
and patience tame to sufferance bide each checkx
without accusing you of injuryx
be where you listx your charter is so strongx
that you your self may privilage your time
to what you willx to you it doth belongx
your self to pardon of selfxdoing crimex
i am to waitx though waiting so be hellx
not blame your pleasure be it ill or wellx
xx
if there be nothing newx but that which isx
hath been beforex how are our brains beguiledx
which labouring for invention bear amis
the second burthen of a former childx
o that record could with a backward lookx
even of five hundred courses of the sunx
show me your image in some antique bookx
since mind at first in character was donex
that i might see what the old world could sayx
to this composed wonder of your framex
whether we are mendedx or whether better theyx
or whether revolution be the samex
o sure i am the wits of former daysx
to subjects worse have given admiring praisex
xx
like as the waves make towards the pebbled shorex
so do our minutes hasten to their endx
each changing place with that which goes beforex
in sequent toil all forwards do contendx
nativity once in the main of lightx
crawls to maturityx wherewith being crownedx
crooked eclipses xgainst his glory fightx
and time that gavex doth now his gift confoundx
time doth transfix the flourish set on youthx
and delves the parallels in beautyxs browx
feeds on the rarities of naturexs truthx
and nothing stands but for his scythe to mowx
and yet to times in hopex my verse shall stand
praising thy worthx despite his cruel handx
xx
is it thy willx thy image should keep open
my heavy eyelids to the weary nightx
dost thou desire my slumbers should be brokenx
while shadows like to thee do mock my sightx
is it thy spirit that thou sendxst from thee
so far from home into my deeds to pryx
to find out shames and idle hours in mex
the scope and tenure of thy jealousyx
o nox thy love though muchx is not so greatx
it is my love that keeps mine eye awakex
mine own true love that doth my rest defeatx
to play the watchman ever for thy sakex
for thee watch ix whilst thou dost wake elsewherex
from me far offx with others all too nearx
xx
sin of selfxlove possesseth all mine eyex
and all my soulx and all my every partx
and for this sin there is no remedyx
it is so grounded inward in my heartx
methinks no face so gracious is as minex
no shape so truex no truth of such accountx
and for my self mine own worth do definex
as i all other in all worths surmountx
but when my glass shows me my self indeed
beated and chopt with tanned antiquityx
mine own selfxlove quite contrary i readx
selfx so selfxloving were iniquityx
xtis thee xmy selfx that for my self i praisex
painting my age with beauty of thy daysx
xx
against my love shall be as i am now
with timexs injurious hand crushed and oxerwornx
when hours have drained his blood and filled his brow
with lines and wrinklesx when his youthful morn
hath travelled on to agexs steepy nightx
and all those beauties whereof now hexs king
are vanishingx or vanished out of sightx
stealing away the treasure of his springx
for such a time do i now fortify
against confounding agexs cruel knifex
that he shall never cut from memory
my sweet lovexs beautyx though my loverxs lifex
his beauty shall in these black lines be seenx
and they shall livex and he in them still greenx
xx
when i have seen by timexs fell hand defaced
the richxproud cost of outworn buried agex
when sometime lofty towers i see downxrasedx
and brass eternal slave to mortal ragex
when i have seen the hungry ocean gain
advantage on the kingdom of the shorex
and the firm soil win of the watery mainx
increasing store with lossx and loss with storex
when i have seen such interchange of statex
or state it self confoundedx to decayx
ruin hath taught me thus to ruminate
that time will come and take my love awayx
this thought is as a death which cannot choose
but weep to havex that which it fears to losex
xx
since brassx nor stonex nor earthx nor boundless seax
but sad mortality oxersways their powerx
how with this rage shall beauty hold a pleax
whose action is no stronger than a flowerx
o how shall summerxs honey breath hold outx
against the wrackful siege of battxring daysx
when rocks impregnable are not so stoutx
nor gates of steel so strong but time decaysx
o fearful meditationx where alackx
shall timexs best jewel from timexs chest lie hidx
or what strong hand can hold his swift foot backx
or who his spoil of beauty can forbidx
o nonex unless this miracle have mightx
that in black ink my love may still shine brightx
xx
tired with all these for restful death i cryx
as to behold desert a beggar bornx
and needy nothing trimmed in jollityx
and purest faith unhappily forswornx
and gilded honour shamefully misplacedx
and maiden virtue rudely strumpetedx
and right perfection wrongfully disgracedx
and strength by limping sway disabled
and art made tonguextied by authorityx
and folly xdoctorxlikex controlling skillx
and simple truth miscalled simplicityx
and captive good attending captain illx
tired with all thesex from these would i be gonex
save that to diex i leave my love alonex
xx
ah wherefore with infection should he livex
and with his presence grace impietyx
that sin by him advantage should achievex
and lace it self with his societyx
why should false painting imitate his cheekx
and steal dead seeming of his living huex
why should poor beauty indirectly seekx
roses of shadowx since his rose is truex
why should he livex now nature bankrupt isx
beggared of blood to blush through lively veinsx
for she hath no exchequer now but hisx
and proud of manyx lives upon his gainsx
o him she storesx to show what wealth she hadx
in days long sincex before these last so badx
xx
thus is his cheek the map of days outwornx
when beauty lived and died as flowers do nowx
before these bastard signs of fair were bornx
or durst inhabit on a living browx
before the golden tresses of the deadx
the right of sepulchresx were shorn awayx
to live a second life on second headx
ere beautyxs dead fleece made another gayx
in him those holy antique hours are seenx
without all ornamentx it self and truex
making no summer of anotherxs greenx
robbing no old to dress his beauty newx
and him as for a map doth nature storex
to show false art what beauty was of yorex
xx
those parts of thee that the worldxs eye doth viewx
want nothing that the thought of hearts can mendx
all tongues xthe voice of soulsx give thee that duex
uttering bare truthx even so as foes commendx
thy outward thus with outward praise is crownedx
but those same tongues that give thee so thine ownx
in other accents do this praise confound
by seeing farther than the eye hath shownx
they look into the beauty of thy mindx
and that in guess they measure by thy deedsx
then churls their thoughts xalthough their eyes were kindx
to thy fair flower add the rank smell of weedsx
but why thy odour matcheth not thy showx
the soil is thisx that thou dost common growx
xx
that thou art blamed shall not be thy defectx
for slanderxs mark was ever yet the fairx
the ornament of beauty is suspectx
a crow that flies in heavenxs sweetest airx
so thou be goodx slander doth but approvex
thy worth the greater being wooed of timex
for canker vice the sweetest buds doth lovex
and thou presentxst a pure unstained primex
thou hast passed by the ambush of young daysx
either not assailedx or victor being chargedx
yet this thy praise cannot be so thy praisex
to tie up envyx evermore enlargedx
if some suspect of ill masked not thy showx
then thou alone kingdoms of hearts shouldst owex
xx
no longer mourn for me when i am deadx
than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
give warning to the world that i am fled
from this vile world with vilest worms to dwellx
nay if you read this linex remember notx
the hand that writ itx for i love you sox
that i in your sweet thoughts would be forgotx
if thinking on me then should make you woex
o if xi sayx you look upon this versex
when i xperhapsx compounded am with clayx
do not so much as my poor name rehearsex
but let your love even with my life decayx
lest the wise world should look into your moanx
and mock you with me after i am gonex
xx
o lest the world should task you to recitex
what merit lived in me that you should love
after my death xdear lovex forget me quitex
for you in me can nothing worthy provex
unless you would devise some virtuous liex
to do more for me than mine own desertx
and hang more praise upon deceased ix
than niggard truth would willingly impartx
o lest your true love may seem false in thisx
that you for love speak well of me untruex
my name be buried where my body isx
and live no more to shame nor mex nor youx
for i am shamed by that which i bring forthx
and so should youx to love things nothing worthx
xx
that time of year thou mayst in me beholdx
when yellow leavesx or nonex or few do hang
upon those boughs which shake against the coldx
bare ruined choirsx where late the sweet birds sangx
in me thou seest the twilight of such dayx
as after sunset fadeth in the westx
which by and by black night doth take awayx
deathxs second self that seals up all in restx
in me thou seest the glowing of such firex
that on the ashes of his youth doth liex
as the deathxbedx whereon it must expirex
consumed with that which it was nourished byx
this thou perceivxstx which makes thy love more strongx
to love that wellx which thou must leave ere longx
xx
but be contented when that fell arrestx
without all bail shall carry me awayx
my life hath in this line some interestx
which for memorial still with thee shall stayx
when thou reviewest thisx thou dost reviewx
the very part was consecrate to theex
the earth can have but earthx which is his duex
my spirit is thine the better part of mex
so then thou hast but lost the dregs of lifex
the prey of wormsx my body being deadx
the coward conquest of a wretchxs knifex
too base of thee to be rememberedx
the worth of thatx is that which it containsx
and that is thisx and this with thee remainsx
xx
so are you to my thoughts as food to lifex
or as sweetxseasoned showers are to the groundx
and for the peace of you i hold such strife
as xtwixt a miser and his wealth is foundx
now proud as an enjoyerx and anon
doubting the filching age will steal his treasurex
now counting best to be with you alonex
then bettered that the world may see my pleasurex
sometime all full with feasting on your sightx
and by and by clean starved for a lookx
possessing or pursuing no delight
save what is hadx or must from you be tookx
thus do i pine and surfeit day by dayx
or gluttoning on allx or all awayx
xx
why is my verse so barren of new pridex
so far from variation or quick changex
why with the time do i not glance aside
to newxfound methodsx and to compounds strangex
why write i still all onex ever the samex
and keep invention in a noted weedx
that every word doth almost tell my namex
showing their birthx and where they did proceedx
o know sweet love i always write of youx
and you and love are still my argumentx
so all my best is dressing old words newx
spending again what is already spentx
for as the sun is daily new and oldx
so is my love still telling what is toldx
xx
thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wearx
thy dial how thy precious minutes wastex
these vacant leaves thy mindxs imprint will bearx
and of this bookx this learning mayst thou tastex
the wrinkles which thy glass will truly showx
of mouthed graves will give thee memoryx
thou by thy dialxs shady stealth mayst knowx
timexs thievish progress to eternityx
look what thy memory cannot containx
commit to these waste blanksx and thou shalt find
those children nursedx delivered from thy brainx
to take a new acquaintance of thy mindx
these officesx so oft as thou wilt lookx
shall profit theex and much enrich thy bookx
xx
so oft have i invoked thee for my musex
and found such fair assistance in my versex
as every alien pen hath got my usex
and under thee their poesy dispersex
thine eyesx that taught the dumb on high to singx
and heavy ignorance aloft to flyx
have added feathers to the learnedxs wingx
and given grace a double majestyx
yet be most proud of that which i compilex
whose influence is thinex and born of theex
in othersx works thou dost but mend the stylex
and arts with thy sweet graces graced bex
but thou art all my artx and dost advance
as high as learningx my rude ignorancex
xx
whilst i alone did call upon thy aidx
my verse alone had all thy gentle gracex
but now my gracious numbers are decayedx
and my sick muse doth give an other placex
i grant xsweet lovex thy lovely argument
deserves the travail of a worthier penx
yet what of thee thy poet doth inventx
he robs thee ofx and pays it thee againx
he lends thee virtuex and he stole that wordx
from thy behaviourx beauty doth he give
and found it in thy cheekx he can afford
no praise to theex but what in thee doth livex
then thank him not for that which he doth sayx
since what he owes theex thou thy self dost payx
xx
o how i faint when i of you do writex
knowing a better spirit doth use your namex
and in the praise thereof spends all his mightx
to make me tonguextied speaking of your famex
but since your worth xwide as the ocean isx
the humble as the proudest sail doth bearx
my saucy bark xinferior far to hisx
on your broad main doth wilfully appearx
your shallowest help will hold me up afloatx
whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ridex
or xbeing wreckedx i am a worthless boatx
he of tall buildingx and of goodly pridex
then if he thrive and i be cast awayx
the worst was thisx my love was my decayx
xx
or i shall live your epitaph to makex
or you survive when i in earth am rottenx
from hence your memory death cannot takex
although in me each part will be forgottenx
your name from hence immortal life shall havex
though i xonce gonex to all the world must diex
the earth can yield me but a common gravex
when you entombed in menxs eyes shall liex
your monument shall be my gentle versex
which eyes not yet created shall oxerxreadx
and tongues to bex your being shall rehearsex
when all the breathers of this world are deadx
you still shall live xsuch virtue hath my penx
where breath most breathesx even in the mouths of menx
xx
i grant thou wert not married to my musex
and therefore mayst without attaint oxerlook
the dedicated words which writers use
of their fair subjectx blessing every bookx
thou art as fair in knowledge as in huex
finding thy worth a limit past my praisex
and therefore art enforced to seek anewx
some fresher stamp of the timexbettering daysx
and do so lovex yet when they have devisedx
what strained touches rhetoric can lendx
thou truly fairx wert truly sympathizedx
in true plain wordsx by thy truextelling friendx
and their gross painting might be better usedx
where cheeks need bloodx in thee it is abusedx
xx
i never saw that you did painting needx
and therefore to your fair no painting setx
i found xor thought i foundx you did exceedx
that barren tender of a poetxs debtx
and therefore have i slept in your reportx
that you your self being extant well might showx
how far a modern quill doth come too shortx
speaking of worthx what worth in you doth growx
this silence for my sin you did imputex
which shall be most my glory being dumbx
for i impair not beauty being mutex
when others would give lifex and bring a tombx
there lives more life in one of your fair eyesx
than both your poets can in praise devisex
xx
who is it that says mostx which can say morex
than this rich praisex that you alonex are youx
in whose confine immured is the storex
which should example where your equal grewx
lean penury within that pen doth dwellx
that to his subject lends not some small gloryx
but he that writes of youx if he can tellx
that you are youx so dignifies his storyx
let him but copy what in you is writx
not making worse what nature made so clearx
and such a counterpart shall fame his witx
making his style admired every wherex
you to your beauteous blessings add a cursex
being fond on praisex which makes your praises worsex
xx
my tonguextied muse in manners holds her stillx
while comments of your praise richly compiledx
reserve their character with golden quillx
and precious phrase by all the muses filedx
i think good thoughtsx whilst other write good wordsx
and like unlettered clerk still cry amenx
to every hymn that able spirit affordsx
in polished form of well refined penx
hearing you praisedx i say xtis sox xtis truex
and to the most of praise add something morex
but that is in my thoughtx whose love to you
xthough words come hindmostx holds his rank beforex
then othersx for the breath of words respectx
me for my dumb thoughtsx speaking in effectx
xx
was it the proud full sail of his great versex
bound for the prize of xall too preciousx youx
that did my ripe thoughts in my brain inhearsex
making their tomb the womb wherein they grewx
was it his spiritx by spirits taught to writex
above a mortal pitchx that struck me deadx
nox neither hex nor his compeers by night
giving him aidx my verse astonishedx
he nor that affable familiar ghost
which nightly gulls him with intelligencex
as victors of my silence cannot boastx
i was not sick of any fear from thencex
but when your countenance filled up his linex
then lacked i matterx that enfeebled minex
xx
farewellx thou art too dear for my possessingx
and like enough thou knowxst thy estimatex
the charter of thy worth gives thee releasingx
my bonds in thee are all determinatex
for how do i hold thee but by thy grantingx
and for that riches where is my deservingx
the cause of this fair gift in me is wantingx
and so my patent back again is swervingx
thy self thou gavxstx thy own worth then not knowingx
or me to whom thou gavxst itx else mistakingx
so thy great gift upon misprision growingx
comes home againx on better judgement makingx
thus have i had thee as a dream doth flatterx
in sleep a kingx but waking no such matterx
xx
when thou shalt be disposed to set me lightx
and place my merit in the eye of scornx
upon thy sidex against my self ixll fightx
and prove thee virtuousx though thou art forswornx
with mine own weakness being best acquaintedx
upon thy part i can set down a story
of faults concealedx wherein i am attaintedx
that thou in losing mex shalt win much gloryx
and i by this will be a gainer toox
for bending all my loving thoughts on theex
the injuries that to my self i dox
doing thee vantagex doublexvantage mex
such is my lovex to thee i so belongx
that for thy rightx my self will bear all wrongx
xx
say that thou didst forsake me for some faultx
and i will comment upon that offencex
speak of my lamenessx and i straight will haltx
against thy reasons making no defencex
thou canst not xlovex disgrace me half so illx
to set a form upon desired changex
as ixll my self disgracex knowing thy willx
i will acquaintance strangle and look strangex
be absent from thy walks and in my tonguex
thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwellx
lest i xtoo much profanex should do it wronkx
and haply of our old acquaintance tellx
for theex against my self ixll vow debatex
for i must nexer love him whom thou dost hatex
xx
then hate me when thou wiltx if everx nowx
now while the world is bent my deeds to crossx
join with the spite of fortunex make me bowx
and do not drop in for an afterxlossx
ah do notx when my heart hath xscaped this sorrowx
come in the rearward of a conquered woex
give not a windy night a rainy morrowx
to linger out a purposed overthrowx
if thou wilt leave mex do not leave me lastx
when other petty griefs have done their spitex
but in the onset comex so shall i taste
at first the very worst of fortunexs mightx
and other strains of woex which now seem woex
compared with loss of theex will not seem sox
xx
some glory in their birthx some in their skillx
some in their wealthx some in their bodyxs forcex
some in their garments though newxfangled illx
some in their hawks and houndsx some in their horsex
and every humour hath his adjunct pleasurex
wherein it finds a joy above the restx
but these particulars are not my measurex
all these i better in one general bestx
thy love is better than high birth to mex
richer than wealthx prouder than garmentsx costsx
of more delight than hawks and horses bex
and having theex of all menxs pride i boastx
wretched in this alonex that thou mayst takex
all this awayx and me most wretchcd makex
xx
but do thy worst to steal thy self awayx
for term of life thou art assured minex
and life no longer than thy love will stayx
for it depends upon that love of thinex
then need i not to fear the worst of wrongsx
when in the least of them my life hath endx
i seex a better state to me belongs
than thatx which on thy humour doth dependx
thou canst not vex me with inconstant mindx
since that my life on thy revolt doth liex
o what a happy title do i findx
happy to have thy lovex happy to diex
but whatxs so blessedxfair that fears no blotx
thou mayst be falsex and yet i know it notx
xx
so shall i livex supposing thou art truex
like a deceived husbandx so lovexs facex
may still seem love to mex though altered newx
thy looks with mex thy heart in other placex
for there can live no hatred in thine eyex
therefore in that i cannot know thy changex
in manyxs looksx the false heartxs history
is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strangex
but heaven in thy creation did decreex
that in thy face sweet love should ever dwellx
whatexer thy thoughtsx or thy heartxs workings bex
thy looks should nothing thencex but sweetness tellx
how like evexs apple doth thy beauty growx
if thy sweet virtue answer not thy showx
xx
they that have power to hurtx and will do nonex
that do not do the thingx they most do showx
who moving othersx are themselves as stonex
unmovedx coldx and to temptation slowx
they rightly do inherit heavenxs gracesx
and husband naturexs riches from expensex
tibey are the lords and owners of their facesx
othersx but stewards of their excellencex
the summerxs flower is to the summer sweetx
though to it selfx it only live and diex
but if that flower with base infection meetx
the basest weed outbraves his dignityx
for sweetest things turn sourest by their deedsx
lilies that festerx smell far worse than weedsx
xx
how sweet and lovely dost thou make the shamex
which like a canker in the fragrant rosex
doth spot the beauty of thy budding namex
o in what sweets dost thou thy sins enclosex
that tongue that tells the story of thy daysx
xmaking lascivious comments on thy sportx
cannot dispraisex but in a kind of praisex
naming thy namex blesses an ill reportx
o what a mansion have those vices gotx
which for their habitation chose out theex
where beautyxs veil doth cover every blotx
and all things turns to fairx that eyes can seex
take heed xdear heartx of this large privilegex
the hardest knife illxused doth lose his edgex
xx
some say thy fault is youthx some wantonnessx
some say thy grace is youth and gentle sportx
both grace and faults are loved of more and lessx
thou makxst faults gracesx that to thee resortx
as on the finger of a throned queenx
the basest jewel will be well esteemedx
so are those errors that in thee are seenx
to truths translatedx and for true things deemedx
how many lambs might the stern wolf betrayx
if like a lamb he could his looks translatex
how many gazers mightst thou lead awayx
if thou wouldst use the strength of all thy statex
but do not sox i love thee in such sortx
as thou being minex mine is thy good reportx
xx
how like a winter hath my absence been
from theex the pleasure of the fleeting yearx
what freezings have i feltx what dark days seenx
what old decemberxs bareness everywherex
and yet this time removed was summerxs timex
the teeming autumn big with rich increasex
bearing the wanton burden of the primex
like widowed wombs after their lordsx deceasex
yet this abundant issue seemed to me
but hope of orphansx and unfathered fruitx
for summer and his pleasures wait on theex
and thou awayx the very birds are mutex
or if they singx xtis with so dull a cheerx
that leaves look palex dreading the winterxs nearx
xx
from you have i been absent in the springx
when proudxpied april xdressed in all his trimx
hath put a spirit of youth in every thingx
that heavy saturn laughed and leaped with himx
yet nor the lays of birdsx nor the sweet smell
of different flowers in odour and in huex
could make me any summerxs story tellx
or from their proud lap pluck them where they grewx
nor did i wonder at the lilyxs whitex
nor praise the deep vermilion in the rosex
they were but sweetx but figures of delightx
drawn after youx you pattern of all thosex
yet seemed it winter stillx and you awayx
as with your shadow i with these did playx
xx
the forward violet thus did i chidex
sweet thiefx whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smellsx
if not from my lovexs breathx the purple pride
which on thy soft check for complexion dwellsx
in my lovexs veins thou hast too grossly dyedx
the lily i condemned for thy handx
and buds of marjoram had stolxn thy hairx
the roses fearfully on thorns did standx
one blushing shamex another white despairx
a third nor redx nor whitex had stolxn of bothx
and to his robbery had annexed thy breathx
but for his theft in pride of all his growth
a vengeful canker eat him up to deathx
more flowers i notedx yet i none could seex
but sweetx or colour it had stolxn from theex
xxx
where art thou muse that thou forgetxst so longx
to speak of that which gives thee all thy mightx
spendxst thou thy fury on some worthless songx
darkening thy power to lend base subjects lightx
return forgetful musex and straight redeemx
in gentle numbers time so idly spentx
sing to the ear that doth thy lays esteemx
and gives thy pen both skill and argumentx
rise resty musex my lovexs sweet face surveyx
if time have any wrinkle graven therex
if anyx be a satire to decayx
and make timexs spoils despised everywherex
give my love fame faster than time wastes lifex
so thou preventxst his scythex and crooked knifex
xxx
o truant muse what shall be thy amendsx
for thy neglect of truth in beauty dyedx
both truth and beauty on my love dependsx
so dost thou toox and therein dignifiedx
make answer musex wilt thou not haply sayx
xtruth needs no colour with his colour fixedx
beauty no pencilx beautyxs truth to layx
but best is bestx if never intermixedxx
because he needs no praisex wilt thou be dumbx
excuse not silence sox forxt lies in theex
to make him much outlive a gilded tombx
and to be praised of ages yet to bex
then do thy office musex i teach thee howx
to make him seem long hencex as he shows nowx
xxx
my love is strengthened though more weak in seemingx
i love not lessx though less the show appearx
that love is merchandizedx whose rich esteemingx
the ownerxs tongue doth publish every wherex
our love was newx and then but in the springx
when i was wont to greet it with my laysx
as philomel in summerxs front doth singx
and stops her pipe in growth of riper daysx
not that the summer is less pleasant now
than when her mournful hymns did hush the nightx
but that wild music burthens every boughx
and sweets grown common lose their dear delightx
therefore like herx i sometime hold my tonguex
because i would not dull you with my songx
xxx
alack what poverty my muse brings forthx
that having such a scope to show her pridex
the argument all bare is of more worth
than when it hath my added praise besidex
o blame me not if i no more can writex
look in your glass and there appears a facex
that overxgoes my blunt invention quitex
dulling my linesx and doing me disgracex
were it not sinful then striving to mendx
to mar the subject that before was wellx
for to no other pass my verses tendx
than of your graces and your gifts to tellx
and morex much more than in my verse can sitx
your own glass shows youx when you look in itx
xxx
to me fair friend you never can be oldx
for as you were when first your eye i eyedx
such seems your beauty stillx three winters coldx
have from the forests shook three summersx pridex
three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turnedx
in process of the seasons have i seenx
three april perfumes in three hot junes burnedx
since first i saw you fresh which yet are greenx
ah yet doth beauty like a dial handx
steal from his figurex and no pace perceivedx
so your sweet huex which methinks still doth stand
hath motionx and mine eye may be deceivedx
for fear of whichx hear this thou age unbredx
ere you were born was beautyxs summer deadx
xxx
let not my love be called idolatryx
nor my beloved as an idol showx
since all alike my songs and praises be
to onex of onex still suchx and ever sox
kind is my love toxdayx toxmorrow kindx
still constant in a wondrous excellencex
therefore my verse to constancy confinedx
one thing expressingx leaves out differencex
fairx kindx and truex is all my argumentx
fairx kindx and truex varying to other wordsx
and in this change is my invention spentx
three themes in onex which wondrous scope affordsx
fairx kindx and truex have often lived alonex
which three till nowx never kept seat in onex
xxx
when in the chronicle of wasted timex
i see descriptions of the fairest wightsx
and beauty making beautiful old rhymex
in praise of ladies deadx and lovely knightsx
then in the blazon of sweet beautyxs bestx
of handx of footx of lipx of eyex of browx
i see their antique pen would have expressedx
even such a beauty as you master nowx
so all their praises are but prophecies
of this our timex all you prefiguringx
and for they looked but with divining eyesx
they had not skill enough your worth to singx
for we which now behold these present daysx
have eyes to wonderx but lack tongues to praisex
xxx
not mine own fearsx nor the prophetic soulx
of the wide worldx dreaming on things to comex
can yet the lease of my true love controlx
supposed as forfeit to a confined doomx
the mortal moon hath her eclipse enduredx
and the sad augurs mock their own presagex
incertainties now crown themselves assuredx
and peace proclaims olives of endless agex
now with the drops of this most balmy timex
my love looks freshx and death to me subscribesx
since spite of him ixll live in this poor rhymex
while he insults oxer dull and speechless tribesx
and thou in this shalt find thy monumentx
when tyrantsx crests and tombs of brass are spentx
xxx
whatxs in the brain that ink may characterx
which hath not figured to thee my true spiritx
whatxs new to speakx what now to registerx
that may express my lovex or thy dear meritx
nothing sweet boyx but yet like prayers divinex
i must each day say oxer the very samex
counting no old thing oldx thou minex i thinex
even as when first i hallowed thy fair namex
so that eternal love in lovexs fresh casex
weighs not the dust and injury of agex
nor gives to necessary wrinkles placex
but makes antiquity for aye his pagex
finding the first conceit of love there bredx
where time and outward form would show it deadx
xxx
o never say that i was false of heartx
though absence seemed my flame to qualifyx
as easy might i from my self departx
as from my soul which in thy breast doth liex
that is my home of lovex if i have rangedx
like him that travels i return againx
just to the timex not with the time exchangedx
so that my self bring water for my stainx
never believe though in my nature reignedx
all frailties that besiege all kinds of bloodx
that it could so preposterously be stainedx
to leave for nothing all thy sum of goodx
for nothing this wide universe i callx
save thou my rosex in it thou art my allx
xxx
alas xtis truex i have gone here and therex
and made my self a motley to the viewx
gored mine own thoughtsx sold cheap what is most dearx
made old offences of affections newx
most true it isx that i have looked on truth
askance and strangelyx but by all abovex
these blenches gave my heart another youthx
and worse essays proved thee my best of lovex
now all is donex have what shall have no endx
mine appetite i never more will grind
on newer proofx to try an older friendx
a god in lovex to whom i am confinedx
then give me welcomex next my heaven the bestx
even to thy pure and most most loving breastx
xxx
o for my sake do you with fortune chidex
the guilty goddess of my harmful deedsx
that did not better for my life providex
than public means which public manners breedsx
thence comes it that my name receives a brandx
and almost thence my nature is subdued
to what it works inx like the dyerxs handx
pity me thenx and wish i were renewedx
whilst like a willing patient i will drinkx
potions of eisel xgainst my strong infectionx
no bitterness that i will bitter thinkx
nor double penance to correct correctionx
pity me then dear friendx and i assure yex
even that your pity is enough to cure mex
xxx
your love and pity doth thx impression fillx
which vulgar scandal stamped upon my browx
for what care i who calls me well or illx
so you oxerxgreen my badx my good allowx
you are my all the worldx and i must strivex
to know my shames and praises from your tonguex
none else to mex nor i to none alivex
that my steeled sense or changes right or wrongx
in so profound abysm i throw all care
of othersx voicesx that my adderxs sensex
to critic and to flatterer stopped arex
mark how with my neglect i do dispensex
you are so strongly in my purpose bredx
that all the world besides methinks are deadx
xxx
since i left youx mine eye is in my mindx
and that which governs me to go aboutx
doth part his functionx and is partly blindx
seems seeingx but effectually is outx
for it no form delivers to the heart
of birdx of flowerx or shape which it doth latchx
of his quick objects hath the mind no partx
nor his own vision holds what it doth catchx
for if it see the rudxst or gentlest sightx
the most sweet favour or deformedxst creaturex
the mountainx or the seax the dayx or nightx
the crowx or dovex it shapes them to your featurex
incapable of morex replete with youx
my most true mind thus maketh mine untruex
xxx
or whether doth my mind being crowned with you
drink up the monarchxs plague this flatteryx
or whether shall i say mine eye saith truex
and that your love taught it this alchemyx
to make of monstersx and things indigestx
such cherubins as your sweet self resemblex
creating every bad a perfect best
as fast as objects to his beams assemblex
o xtis the firstx xtis flattery in my seeingx
and my great mind most kingly drinks it upx
mine eye well knows what with his gust is xgreeingx
and to his palate doth prepare the cupx
if it be poisonedx xtis the lesser sinx
that mine eye loves it and doth first beginx
xxx
those lines that i before have writ do liex
even those that said i could not love you dearerx
yet then my judgment knew no reason whyx
my most full flame should afterwards burn clearerx
but reckoning timex whose millioned accidents
creep in xtwixt vowsx and change decrees of kingsx
tan sacred beautyx blunt the sharpxst intentsx
divert strong minds to the course of altxring thingsx
alas why fearing of timexs tyrannyx
might i not then say xnow i love you bestxx
when i was certain oxer incertaintyx
crowning the presentx doubting of the restx
love is a babex then might i not say so
to give full growth to that which still doth growx
xxx
let me not to the marriage of true minds
admit impedimentsx love is not love
which alters when it alteration findsx
or bends with the remover to removex
o nox it is an everxfixed mark
that looks on tempests and is never shakenx
it is the star to every wandxring barkx
whose worthxs unknownx although his height be takenx
lovexs not timexs foolx though rosy lips and cheeks
within his bending sicklexs compass comex
love alters not with his brief hours and weeksx
but bears it out even to the edge of doomx
if this be error and upon me provedx
i never writx nor no man ever lovedx
xxx
accuse me thusx that i have scanted allx
wherein i should your great deserts repayx
forgot upon your dearest love to callx
whereto all bonds do tie me day by dayx
that i have frequent been with unknown mindsx
and given to time your own dearxpurchased rightx
that i have hoisted sail to all the winds
which should transport me farthest from your sightx
book both my wilfulness and errors downx
and on just proof surmisex accumulatex
bring me within the level of your frownx
but shoot not at me in your wakened hatex
since my appeal says i did strive to prove
the constancy and virtue of your lovex
xxx
like as to make our appetite more keen
with eager compounds we our palate urgex
as to prevent our maladies unseenx
we sicken to shun sickness when we purgex
even so being full of your nexerxcloying sweetnessx
to bitter sauces did i frame my feedingx
and sick of welfare found a kind of meetnessx
to be diseased ere that there was true needingx
thus policy in love tx anticipate
the ills that were notx grew to faults assuredx
and brought to medicine a healthful state
which rank of goodness would by ill be curedx
but thence i learn and find the lesson truex
drugs poison him that so feil sick of youx
xxx
what potions have i drunk of siren tears
distilled from limbecks foul as hell withinx
applying fears to hopesx and hopes to fearsx
still losing when i saw my self to winx
what wretched errors hath my heart committedx
whilst it hath thought it self so blessed neverx
how have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted
in the distraction of this madding feverx
o benefit of illx now i find true
that better isx by evil still made betterx
and ruined love when it is built anew
grows fairer than at firstx more strongx far greaterx
so i return rebuked to my contentx
and gain by ills thrice more than i have spentx
xxx
that you were once unkind befriends me nowx
and for that sorrowx which i then did feelx
needs must i under my transgression bowx
unless my nerves were brass or hammered steelx
for if you were by my unkindness shaken
as i by yoursx yxhave passed a hell of timex
and i a tyrant have no leisure taken
to weigh how once i suffered in your crimex
o that our night of woe might have remembered
my deepest sensex how hard true sorrow hitsx
and soon to youx as you to me then tendered
the humble salvex which wounded bosoms fitsx
but that your trespass now becomes a feex
mine ransoms yoursx and yours must ransom mex
xxx
xtis better to be vile than vile esteemedx
when not to bex receives reproach of beingx
and the just pleasure lostx which is so deemedx
not by our feelingx but by othersx seeingx
for why should othersx false adulterate eyes
give salutation to my sportive bloodx
or on my frailties why are frailer spiesx
which in their wills count bad what i think goodx
nox i am that i amx and they that level
at my abusesx reckon up their ownx
i may be straight though they themselves be bevelx
by their rank thoughtsx my deeds must not be shown
unless this general evil they maintainx
all men are bad and in their badness reignx
xxx
thy giftx thy tablesx are within my brain
full charactered with lasting memoryx
which shall above that idle rank remain
beyond all date even to eternityx
or at the leastx so long as brain and heart
have faculty by nature to subsistx
till each to razed oblivion yield his part
of theex thy record never can be missedx
that poor retention could not so much holdx
nor need i tallies thy dear love to scorex
therefore to give them from me was i boldx
to trust those tables that receive thee morex
to keep an adjunct to remember thee
were to import forgetfulness in mex
xxx
nox timex thou shalt not boast that i do changex
thy pyramids built up with newer might
to me are nothing novelx nothing strangex
they are but dressings of a former sightx
our dates are briefx and therefore we admirex
what thou dost foist upon us that is oldx
and rather make them born to our desirex
than think that we before have heard them toldx
thy registers and thee i both defyx
not wondxring at the presentx nor the pastx
for thy recordsx and what we see doth liex
made more or less by thy continual hastex
this i do vow and this shall ever bex
i will be true despite thy scythe and theex
xxx
if my dear love were but the child of statex
it might for fortunexs bastard be unfatheredx
as subject to timexs love or to timexs hatex
weeds among weedsx or flowers with flowers gatheredx
no it was builded far from accidentx
it suffers not in smiling pompx nor falls
under the blow of thralled discontentx
whereto thx inviting time our fashion callsx
it fears not policy that hereticx
which works on leases of shortxnumbered hoursx
but all alone stands hugely politicx
that it nor grows with heatx nor drowns with showersx
to this i witness call the fools of timex
which die for goodnessx who have lived for crimex
xxx
werext aught to me i bore the canopyx
with my extern the outward honouringx
or laid great bases for eternityx
which proves more short than waste or ruiningx
have i not seen dwellers on form and favour
lose allx and more by paying too much rent
for compound sweetx forgoing simple savourx
pitiful thrivers in their gazing spentx
nox let me be obsequious in thy heartx
and take thou my oblationx poor but freex
which is not mixed with secondsx knows no artx
but mutual renderx only me for theex
hencex thou suborned informerx a true soul
when most impeachedx stands least in thy controlx
xxx
o thou my lovely boy who in thy powerx
dost hold timexs fickle glass his fickle hourx
who hast by waning grownx and therein showxstx
thy lovers witheringx as thy sweet self growxstx
if nature xsovereign mistress over wrackx
as thou goest onwards still will pluck thee backx
she keeps thee to this purposex that her skill
may time disgracex and wretched minutes killx
yet fear her o thou minion of her pleasurex
she may detainx but not still keep her treasurex
her audit xthough delayedx answered must bex
and her quietus is to render theex
xxx
in the old age black was not counted fairx
or if it were it bore not beautyxs namex
but now is black beautyxs successive heirx
and beauty slandered with a bastard shamex
for since each hand hath put on naturexs powerx
fairing the foul with artxs false borrowed facex
sweet beauty hath no name no holy bowerx
but is profanedx if not lives in disgracex
therefore my mistressx eyes are raven blackx
her eyes so suitedx and they mourners seemx
at such who not born fair no beauty lackx
slandering creation with a false esteemx
yet so they mourn becoming of their woex
that every tongue says beauty should look sox
xxx
how oft when thoux my musicx music playxstx
upon that blessed wood whose motion sounds
with thy sweet fingers when thou gently swayxst
the wiry concord that mine ear confoundsx
do i envy those jacks that nimble leapx
to kiss the tender inward of thy handx
whilst my poor lips which should that harvest reapx
at the woodxs boldness by thee blushing standx
to be so tickled they would change their state
and situation with those dancing chipsx
oxer whom thy fingers walk with gentle gaitx
making dead wood more blest than living lipsx
since saucy jacks so happy are in thisx
give them thy fingersx me thy lips to kissx
xxx
thx expense of spirit in a waste of shame
is lust in actionx and till actionx lust
is perjuredx murdxrousx bloody full of blamex
savagex extremex rudex cruelx not to trustx
enjoyed no sooner but despised straightx
past reason huntedx and no sooner had
past reason hated as a swallowed baitx
on purpose laid to make the taker madx
mad in pursuit and in possession sox
hadx havingx and in questx to have extremex
a bliss in proof and provedx a very woex
before a joy proposed behind a dreamx
all this the world well knows yet none knows wellx
to shun the heaven that leads men to this hellx
xxx
my mistressx eyes are nothing like the sunx
coral is far more redx than her lips redx
if snow be whitex why then her breasts are dunx
if hairs be wiresx black wires grow on her headx
i have seen roses damaskedx red and whitex
but no such roses see i in her cheeksx
and in some perfumes is there more delightx
than in the breath that from my mistress reeksx
i love to hear her speakx yet well i knowx
that music hath a far more pleasing soundx
i grant i never saw a goddess gox
my mistress when she walks treads on the groundx
and yet by heaven i think my love as rarex
as any she belied with false comparex
xxx
thou art as tyrannousx so as thou artx
as those whose beauties proudly make them cruelx
for well thou knowxst to my dear doting heart
thou art the fairest and most precious jewelx
yet in good faith some say that thee beholdx
thy face hath not the power to make love groanx
to say they errx i dare not be so boldx
although i swear it to my self alonex
and to be sure that is not false i swearx
a thousand groans but thinking on thy facex
one on anotherxs neck do witness bear
thy black is fairest in my judgmentxs placex
in nothing art thou black save in thy deedsx
and thence this slander as i think proceedsx
xxx
thine eyes i lovex and they as pitying mex
knowing thy heart torment me with disdainx
have put on blackx and loving mourners bex
looking with pretty ruth upon my painx
and truly not the morning sun of heaven
better becomes the grey cheeks of the eastx
nor that full star that ushers in the even
doth half that glory to the sober west
as those two mourning eyes become thy facex
o let it then as well beseem thy heart
to mourn for me since mourning doth thee gracex
and suit thy pity like in every partx
then will i swear beauty herself is blackx
and all they foul that thy complexion lackx
xxx
beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan
for that deep wound it gives my friend and mex
isxt not enough to torture me alonex
but slave to slavery my sweetxst friend must bex
me from my self thy cruel eye hath takenx
and my next self thou harder hast engrossedx
of himx my selfx and thee i am forsakenx
a torment thrice threexfold thus to be crossedx
prison my heart in thy steel bosomxs wardx
but then my friendxs heart let my poor heart bailx
whoexer keeps mex let my heart be his guardx
thou canst not then use rigour in my gaolx
and yet thou wiltx for i being pent in theex
perforce am thine and all that is in mex
xxx
so now i have confessed that he is thinex
and i my self am mortgaged to thy willx
my self ixll forfeitx so that other minex
thou wilt restore to be my comfort stillx
but thou wilt notx nor he will not be freex
for thou art covetousx and he is kindx
he learned but suretyxlike to write for mex
under that bond that him as fist doth bindx
the statute of thy beauty thou wilt takex
thou usurer that putxst forth all to usex
and sue a friendx came debtor for my sakex
so him i lose through my unkind abusex
him have i lostx thou hast both him and mex
he pays the wholex and yet am i not freex
xxx
whoever hath her wishx thou hast thy willx
and will to bootx and will in overplusx
more than enough am i that vex thee stillx
to thy sweet will making addition thusx
wilt thou whose will is large and spaciousx
not once vouchsafe to hide my will in thinex
shall will in others seem right graciousx
and in my will no fair acceptance shinex
the sea all waterx yet receives rain stillx
and in abundance addeth to his storex
so thou being rich in will add to thy will
one will of mine to make thy large will morex
let no unkindx no fair beseechers killx
think all but onex and me in that one willx
xxx
if thy soul check thee that i come so nearx
swear to thy blind soul that i was thy willx
and will thy soul knows is admitted therex
thus far for lovex my lovexsuit sweet fulfilx
will will fulfil the treasure of thy lovex
ayx fill it full with willsx and my will onex
in things of great receipt with case we provex
among a number one is reckoned nonex
then in the number let me pass untoldx
though in thy storexs account i one must bex
for nothing hold mex so it please thee holdx
that nothing mex a something sweet to theex
make but my name thy lovex and love that stillx
and then thou lovxst me for my name is willx
xxx
thou blind fool lovex what dost thou to mine eyesx
that they behold and see not what they seex
they know what beauty isx see where it liesx
yet what the best isx take the worst to bex
if eyes corrupt by overxpartial looksx
be anchored in the bay where all men ridex
why of eyesx falsehood hast thou forged hooksx
whereto the judgment of my heart is tiedx
why should my heart think that a several plotx
which my heart knows the wide worldxs common placex
or mine eyes seeing thisx say this is not
to put fair truth upon so foul a facex
in things right true my heart and eyes have erredx
and to this false plague are they now transferredx
xxx
when my love swears that she is made of truthx
i do believe her though i know she liesx
that she might think me some untutored youthx
unlearned in the worldxs false subtletiesx
thus vainly thinking that she thinks me youngx
although she knows my days are past the bestx
simply i credit her falsexspeaking tonguex
on both sides thus is simple truth suppressedx
but wherefore says she not she is unjustx
and wherefore say not i that i am oldx
o lovexs best habit is in seeming trustx
and age in lovex loves not to have years toldx
therefore i lie with herx and she with mex
and in our faults by lies we flattered bex
xxx
o call not me to justify the wrongx
that thy unkindness lays upon my heartx
wound me not with thine eye but with thy tonguex
use power with powerx and slay me not by artx
tell me thou lovxst elsewherex but in my sightx
dear heart forbear to glance thine eye asidex
what needxst thou wound with cunning when thy might
is more than my oxerpressed defence can bidex
let me excuse theex ah my love well knowsx
her pretty looks have been mine enemiesx
and therefore from my face she turns my foesx
that they elsewhere might dart their injuriesx
yet do not sox but since i am near slainx
kill me outright with looksx and rid my painx
xxx
be wise as thou art cruelx do not press
my tonguextied patience with too much disdainx
lest sorrow lend me words and words expressx
the manner of my pityxwanting painx
if i might teach thee wit better it werex
though not to lovex yet love to tell me sox
as testy sick men when their deaths be nearx
no news but health from their physicians knowx
for if i should despair i should grow madx
and in my madness might speak ill of theex
now this illxwresting world is grown so badx
mad slanderers by mad ears believed bex
that i may not be sox nor thou beliedx
bear thine eyes straightx though thy proud heart go widex
xxx
in faith i do not love thee with mine eyesx
for they in thee a thousand errors notex
but xtis my heart that loves what they despisex
who in despite of view is pleased to dotex
nor are mine cars with thy tonguexs tune delightedx
nor tender feeling to base touches pronex
nor tastex nor smellx desire to be invited
to any sensual feast with thee alonex
but my five witsx nor my five senses can
dissuade one foolish heart from serving theex
who leaves unswayed the likeness of a manx
thy proud heartxs slave and vassal wretch to bex
only my plague thus far i count my gainx
that she that makes me sinx awards me painx
xxx
love is my sinx and thy dear virtue hatex
hate of my sinx grounded on sinful lovingx
o but with minex compare thou thine own statex
and thou shalt find it merits not reprovingx
or if it dox not from those lips of thinex
that have profaned their scarlet ornamentsx
and sealed false bonds of love as oft as minex
robbed othersx bedsx revenues of their rentsx
be it lawful i love thee as thou lovxst thosex
whom thine eyes woo as mine importune theex
root pity in thy heart that when it growsx
thy pity may deserve to pitied bex
if thou dost seek to have what thou dost hidex
by selfxexample mayst thou be deniedx
xxx
lo as a careful huswife runs to catchx
one of her feathered creatures broke awayx
sets down her babe and makes all swift dispatch
in pursuit of the thing she would have stayx
whilst her neglected child holds her in chasex
cries to catch her whose busy care is bentx
to follow that which flies before her facex
not prizing her poor infantxs discontentx
so runxst thou after that which flies from theex
whilst i thy babe chase thee afar behindx
but if thou catch thy hope turn back to mex
and play the motherxs partx kiss mex be kindx
so will i pray that thou mayst have thy willx
if thou turn back and my loud crying stillx
xxx
two loves i have of comfort and despairx
which like two spirits do suggest me stillx
the better angel is a man right fairx
the worser spirit a woman coloured illx
to win me soon to hell my female evilx
tempteth my better angel from my sidex
and would corrupt my saint to be a devilx
wooing his purity with her foul pridex
and whether that my angel be turned fiendx
suspect i mayx yet not directly tellx
but being both from me both to each friendx
i guess one angel in anotherxs hellx
yet this shall i nexer know but live in doubtx
till my bad angel fire my good one outx
xxx
those lips that lovexs own hand did makex
breathed forth the sound that said xi hatexx
to me that languished for her sakex
but when she saw my woeful statex
straight in her heart did mercy comex
chiding that tongue that ever sweetx
was used in giving gentle doomx
and taught it thus anew to greetx
xi hatex she altered with an endx
that followed it as gentle dayx
doth follow night who like a fiend
from heaven to hell is flown awayx
xi hatexx from hate away she threwx
and saved my life saying xnot youxx
xxx
poor soul the centre of my sinful earthx
my sinful earth these rebel powers arrayx
why dost thou pine within and suffer dearth
painting thy outward walls so costly gayx
why so large cost having so short a leasex
dost thou upon thy fading mansion spendx
shall worms inheritors of this excess
eat up thy chargex is this thy bodyxs endx
then soul live thou upon thy servantxs lossx
and let that pine to aggravate thy storex
buy terms divine in selling hours of drossx
within be fedx without be rich no morex
so shall thou feed on deathx that feeds on menx
and death once deadx therexs no more dying thenx
xxx
my love is as a fever longing stillx
for that which longer nurseth the diseasex
feeding on that which doth preserve the illx
thx uncertain sickly appetite to pleasex
my reason the physician to my lovex
angry that his prescriptions are not kept
hath left mex and i desperate now approvex
desire is deathx which physic did exceptx
past cure i amx now reason is past carex
and franticxmad with evermore unrestx
my thoughts and my discourse as mad menxs arex
at random from the truth vainly expressedx
for i have sworn thee fairx and thought thee brightx
who art as black as hellx as dark as nightx
xxx
o mex what eyes hath love put in my headx
which have no correspondence with true sightx
or if they havex where is my judgment fledx
that censures falsely what they see arightx
if that be fair whereon my false eyes dotex
what means the world to say it is not sox
if it be notx then love doth well denotex
lovexs eye is not so true as all menxsx nox
how can itx o how can lovexs eye be truex
that is so vexed with watching and with tearsx
no marvel then though i mistake my viewx
the sun it self sees notx till heaven clearsx
o cunning lovex with tears thou keepxst me blindx
lest eyes wellxseeing thy foul faults should findx
xxx
canst thou o cruelx say i love thee notx
when i against my self with thee partakex
do i not think on thee when i forgot
am of my selfx allxtyrantx for thy sakex
who hateth thee that i do call my friendx
on whom frownxst thou that i do fawn uponx
nay if thou lourxst on me do i not spend
revenge upon my self with present moanx
what merit do i in my self respectx
that is so proud thy service to despisex
when all my best doth worship thy defectx
commanded by the motion of thine eyesx
but love hate on for now i know thy mindx
those that can see thou lovxstx and i am blindx
xxx
o from what power hast thou this powerful mightx
with insufficiency my heart to swayx
to make me give the lie to my true sightx
and swear that brightness doth not grace the dayx
whence hast thou this becoming of things illx
that in the very refuse of thy deedsx
there is such strength and warrantise of skillx
that in my mind thy worst all best exceedsx
who taught thee how to make me love thee morex
the more i hear and see just cause of hatex
o though i love what others do abhorx
with others thou shouldst not abhor my statex
if thy unworthiness raised love in mex
more worthy i to be beloved of theex
xxx
love is too young to know what conscience isx
yet who knows not conscience is born of lovex
then gentle cheater urge not my amissx
lest guilty of my faults thy sweet self provex
for thou betraying mex i do betray
my nobler part to my gross bodyxs treasonx
my soul doth tell my body that he mayx
triumph in lovex flesh stays no farther reasonx
but rising at thy name doth point out theex
as his triumphant prizex proud of this pridex
he is contented thy poor drudge to bex
to stand in thy affairsx fall by thy sidex
no want of conscience hold it that i callx
her lovex for whose dear love i rise and fallx
xxx
in loving thee thou knowxst i am forswornx
but thou art twice forsworn to me love swearingx
in act thy bedxvow broke and new faith tornx
in vowing new hate after new love bearingx
but why of two oathsx breach do i accuse theex
when i break twentyx i am perjured mostx
for all my vows are oaths but to misuse theex
and all my honest faith in thee is lostx
for i have sworn deep oaths of thy deep kindnessx
oaths of thy lovex thy truthx thy constancyx
and to enlighten thee gave eyes to blindnessx
or made them swear against the thing they seex
for i have sworn thee fairx more perjured ix
to swear against the truth so foul a bex
xxx
cupid laid by his brand and fell asleepx
a maid of dianxs this advantage foundx
and his lovexkindling fire did quickly steep
in a cold valleyxfountain of that groundx
which borrowed from this holy fire of lovex
a dateless lively heat still to endurex
and grew a seeting bath which yet men provex
against strange maladies a sovereign curex
but at my mistressx eye lovexs brand newxfiredx
the boy for trial needs would touch my breastx
i sick withal the help of bath desiredx
and thither hied a sad distempered guestx
but found no curex the bath for my help liesx
where cupid got new firex my mistressx eyesx
xxx
the little lovexgod lying once asleepx
laid by his side his heartxinflaming brandx
whilst many nymphs that vowed chaste life to keepx
came tripping byx but in her maiden handx
the fairest votary took up that firex
which many legions of true hearts had warmedx
and so the general of hot desirex
was sleeping by a virgin hand disarmedx
this brand she quenched in a cool well byx
which from lovexs fire took heat perpetualx
growing a bath and healthful remedyx
for men discasedx but i my mistressx thrallx
came there for cure and this by that i provex
lovexs fire heats waterx water cools not lovex
the end
allxs well that ends well
contents
act i
scene ix rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
scene iix parisx a room in the kingxs palacex
scene iiix rossillonx a room in the palacex
act ii
scene ix parisx a room in the kingxs palacex
scene iix rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
scene iiix parisx the kingxs palacex
scene ivx parisx the kingxs palacex
scene vx another room in the samex
act iii
scene ix florencex a room in the dukexs palacex
scene iix rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
scene iiix florencex before the dukexs palacex
scene ivx rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
scene vx without the walls of florencex
scene vix camp before florencex
scene viix florencex a room in the widowxs housex
act iv
scene ix without the florentine campx
scene iix florencex a room in the widowxs housex
scene iiix the florentine campx
scene ivx florencex a room in the widowxs housex
scene vx rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
act v
scene ix marseillesx a streetx
scene iix rossillonx the inner court of the countessxs palacex
scene iiix the samex a room in the countessxs palacex
dramatis personx
king of francex
the duke of florencex
bertramx count of rossillonx
lafewx an old lordx
parollesx a follower of bertramx
several young french lordsx that serve with bertram in the florentine
warx
rynaldox servant to the countess of rossillonx
clownx servant to the countess of rossillonx
a pagex servant to the countess of rossillonx
countess of rossillonx mother to bertramx
helenax a gentlewoman protected by the countessx
an old widow of florencex
dianax daughter to the widowx
violentax neighbour and friend to the widowx
marianax neighbour and friend to the widowx
lords attending on the kingx officersx soldiersx xcxx french and
florentinex
scenex partly in francex and partly in tuscanyx
act i
scene ix rossillonx a room in the countessxs palacex
enter bertramx the countess of rossillonx helenax and lafewx all in
blackx
countessx
in delivering my son from mex i bury a second husbandx
bertramx
and i in goingx madamx weep oxer my fatherxs death anewx but i must
attend his majestyxs commandx to whom i am now in wardx evermore in
subjectionx
lafewx
you shall find of the king a husbandx madamx youx sirx a fatherx he
that so generally is at all times goodx must of necessity hold his
virtue to youx whose worthiness would stir it up where it wantedx
rather than lack it where there is such abundancex
countessx
what hope is there of his majestyxs amendmentx
lafewx
he hath abandonxd his physiciansx madamx under whose practices he hath
persecuted time with hopex and finds no other advantage in the process
but only the losing of hope by timex
countessx
this young gentlewoman had a fatherxo that xhadxxx how sad a passage
xtisxxwhose skill was almost as great as his honestyx had it stretchxd
so farx would have made nature immortalx and death should have play for
lack of workx would for the kingxs sake he were livingx i think it
would be the death of the kingxs diseasex
lafewx
how called you the man you speak ofx madamx
countessx
he was famousx sirx in his professionx and it was his great right to be
sox gerard de narbonx
lafewx
he was excellent indeedx madamx the king very lately spoke of him
admiringlyx and mourninglyx he was skilful enough to have livxd stillx
if knowledge could be set up against mortalityx
bertramx
what is itx my good lordx the king languishes ofx
lafewx
a fistulax my lordx
bertramx
i heard not of it beforex
lafewx
i would it were not notoriousx was this gentlewoman the daughter of
gerard de narbonx
countessx
his sole childx my lordx and bequeathed to my overlookingx i have those
hopes of her good that her education promises her dispositions she
inheritsx which makes fair gifts fairerx for where an unclean mind
carries virtuous qualitiesx there commendations go with pityx they are
virtues and traitors toox in her they are the better for their
simplenessx she derives her honestyx and achieves her goodnessx
lafewx
your commendationsx madamx get from her tearsx
countessx
xtis the best brine a maiden can season her praise inx the remembrance
of her father never approaches her heart but the tyranny of her sorrows
takes all livelihood from her cheekx no more of thisx helenax go tox no
morex lest it be rather thought you affect a sorrow than to havex
helenax
i do affect a sorrow indeedx but i have it toox
lafewx
moderate lamentation is the right of the deadx excessive grief the
enemy to the livingx
countessx
if the living be enemy to the griefx the excess makes it soon mortalx
bertramx
madamx i desire your holy wishesx
lafewx
how understand we thatx
countessx
be thou blestx bertramx and succeed thy father
in mannersx as in shapex thy blood and virtue
contend for empire in theex and thy goodness
share with thy birthrightx love allx trust a fewx
do wrong to nonex be able for thine enemy
rather in power than usex and keep thy friend
under thy own lifexs keyx be checkxd for silencex
but never taxxd for speechx what heaven more willx
that thee may furnish and my prayers pluck downx
fall on thy headx farewellx my lordx
xtis an unseasonxd courtierx good my lordx
advise himx
lafewx
he cannot want the best
that shall attend his lovex
countessx
heaven bless himx farewellx bertramx
xxexit countessxxx
bertramx
the best wishes that can be forgxd in your thoughts be servants to youx
xxto helenaxxx be comfortable to my motherx your mistressx and make
much of herx
lafewx
farewellx pretty ladyx you must hold the credit of your fatherx
xxexeunt bertram and lafewxxx
helenax
ox were that allx i think not on my fatherx
and these great tears grace his remembrance more
than those i shed for himx what was he likex
i have forgot himx my imagination
carries no favour inxt but bertramxsx
i am undonex there is no livingx nonex
if bertram be awayx xtwere all one
that i should love a bright particular starx
and think to wed itx he is so above mex
in his bright radiance and collateral light
must i be comfortedx not in his spherex
thxambition in my love thus plagues itselfx
the hind that would be mated by the lion
must die for lovex xtwas prettyx though a plaguex
to see him every hourx to sit and draw
his arched browsx his hawking eyex his curlsx
in our heartxs tablexxheart too capable
of every line and trick of his sweet favourx
but now hexs gonex and my idolatrous fancy
must sanctify his relicsx who comes herex
enter parollesx
one that goes with himx i love him for his sakex
and yet i know him a notorious liarx
think him a great way foolx solely a cowardx
yet these fixxd evils sit so fit in him
that they take place when virtuexs steely bones
looks bleak ix thx cold windx withalx full oft we see
cold wisdom waiting on superfluous follyx
parollesx
save youx fair queenx
helenax
and youx monarchx
parollesx
nox
helenax
and nox
parollesx
are you meditating on virginityx
helenax
ayx you have some stain of soldier in youx let me ask you a questionx
man is enemy to virginityx how may we barricado it against himx
parollesx
keep him outx
helenax
but he assailsx and our virginityx though valiantx in the defencex yet
is weakx unfold to us some warlike resistancex
parollesx
there is nonex man setting down before you will undermine you and blow
you upx
helenax
bless our poor virginity from underminers and blowersxupx is there no
military policy how virgins might blow up menx
parollesx
virginity being blown downx man will quicklier be blown upx marryx in
blowing him down againx with the breach yourselves madex you lose your
cityx it is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve
virginityx loss of virginity is rational increasex and there was never
virgin got till virginity was first lostx that you were made of is
metal to make virginsx virginityx by being once lostx may be ten times
foundx by being ever keptx it is ever lostx xtis too cold a companionx
away with itx
helenax
i will stand forxt a littlex though therefore i die a virginx
parollesx
therexs little can be said inxtx xtis against the rule of naturex to
speak on the part of virginity is to accuse your mothersx which is most
infallible disobediencex he that hangs himself is a virginx virginity
murders itselfx and should be buried in highways out of all sanctified
limitx as a desperate offendress against naturex virginity breeds
mitesx much like a cheesex consumes itself to the very paringx and so
dies with feeding his own stomachx besidesx virginity is peevishx
proudx idlex made of selfxlovex which is the most inhibited sin in the
canonx keep it notx you cannot choose but lose byxtx out withxtx within
the year it will make itself twox which is a goodly increasex and the
principal itself not much the worsex away with itx
helenax
how might one dox sirx to lose it to her own likingx
parollesx
let me seex marryx illx to like him that nexer it likesx xtis a
commodity will lose the gloss with lyingx the longer keptx the less
worthx off withxt while xtis vendiblex answer the time of requestx
virginityx like an old courtierx wears her cap out of fashionx richly
suitedx but unsuitablex just like the brooch and the toothpickx which
wear not nowx your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in
your cheekx and your virginityx your old virginityx is like one of our
french witherxd pearsx it looks illx it eats drilyx marryx xtis a
witherxd pearx it was formerly betterx marryx yet xtis a witherxd pearx
will you anything with itx
helenax
not my virginity yetx
there shall your master have a thousand lovesx
a motherx and a mistressx and a friendx
a phoenixx captainx and an enemyx
a guidex a goddessx and a sovereignx
a counsellorx a traitressx and a dearx
his humble ambitionx proud humilityx
his jarring concordx and his discord dulcetx
his faithx his sweet disasterx with a world
of prettyx fondx adoptious christendoms
that blinking cupid gossipsx now shall hex
i know not what he shallx god send him wellx
the courtxs a learningxplacex and he is onex
parollesx
what onex ix faithx
helenax
that i wish wellx xtis pityx
parollesx
whatxs pityx
helenax
that wishing well had not a body inxt
which might be feltx that wex the poorer bornx
whose baser stars do shut us up in wishesx
might with effects of them follow our friendsx
and show what we alone must thinkx which never
returns us thanksx
enter a pagex
pagex
monsieur parollesx my lord calls for youx
xxexit pagexxx
parollesx
little helenx farewellx if i can remember theex i will think of thee at
courtx
helenax
monsieur parollesx you were born under a charitable starx
parollesx
under marsx ix
helenax
i especially thinkx under marsx
parollesx
why under marsx
helenax
the wars hath so kept you underx that you must needs be born under
marsx
parollesx
when he was predominantx
helenax
when he was retrogradex i think ratherx
parollesx
why think you sox
helenax
you go so much backward when you fightx
parollesx
thatxs for advantagex
helenax
so is running awayx when fear proposes the safetyx but the composition
that your valour and fear makes in you is a virtue of a good wingx and
i like the wear wellx
parollesx
i am so full of business i cannot answer thee acutelyx i will return
perfect courtierx in the which my instruction shall serve to naturalize
theex so thou wilt be capable of a courtierxs counselx and understand
what advice shall thrust upon theex else thou diest in thine
unthankfulnessx and thine ignorance makes thee awayx farewellx when
thou hast leisurex say thy prayersx when thou hast nonex remember thy
friendsx get thee a good husbandx and use him as he uses theex sox
farewellx
xxexitxxx
helenax
our remedies oft in ourselves do liex
which we ascribe to heavenx the fated sky
gives us free scopex only doth backward pull
our slow designs when we ourselves are dullx
what power is it which mounts my love so highx
that makes me seex and cannot feed mine eyex
the mightiest space in fortune nature brings
to join like likesx and kiss like native thingsx
impossible be strange attempts to those
that weigh their pains in sensex and do suppose
what hath been cannot bex who ever strove
to show her merit that did miss her lovex
the kingxs diseasexxmy project may deceive mex
but my intents are fixxdx and will not leave mex
xxexitxxx
scene iix parisx a room in the kingxs palacex
flourish of cornetsx enter the king of francex with lettersx lords and
others attendingx
kingx
the florentines and senoys are by thx earsx
have fought with equal fortunex and continue
a braving warx
first lordx
so xtis reportedx sirx
kingx
nayx xtis most crediblex we here receive itx
a certaintyx vouchxd from our cousin austriax
with cautionx that the florentine will move us
for speedy aidx wherein our dearest friend
prejudicates the businessx and would seem
to have us make denialx
first lordx
his love and wisdomx
approvxd so to your majestyx may plead
for amplest credencex
kingx
he hath armxd our answerx
and florence is denied before he comesx
yetx for our gentlemen that mean to see
the tuscan servicex freely have they leave
to stand on either partx
second lordx
it well may serve
a nursery to our gentryx who are sick
for breathing and exploitx
kingx
whatxs he comes herex
enter bertramx lafew and parollesx
first lordx
it is the count rossillonx my good lordx
young bertramx
kingx
youthx thou bearxst thy fatherxs facex
frank naturex rather curious than in hastex
hath well composxd theex thy fatherxs moral parts
mayst thou inherit toox welcome to parisx
bertramx
my thanks and duty are your majestyxsx
kingx
i would i had that corporal soundness nowx
as when thy father and myself in friendship
first tried our soldiershipx he did look far
into the service of the timex and was
discipled of the bravestx he lasted longx
but on us both did haggish age steal onx
and wore us out of actx it much repairs me
to talk of your good fatherx in his youth
he had the wit which i can well observe
today in our young lordsx but they may jest
till their own scorn return to them unnoted
ere they can hide their levity in honour
so like a courtierx contempt nor bitterness
were in his pride or sharpnessx if they werex
his equal had awakxd themx and his honourx
clock to itselfx knew the true minute when
exception bid him speakx and at this time
his tongue obeyxd his handx who were below him
he usxd as creatures of another placex
and bowxd his eminent top to their low ranksx
making them proud of his humilityx
in their poor praise he humbledx such a man
might be a copy to these younger timesx
whichx followed wellx would demonstrate them now
but goers backwardx
bertramx
his good remembrancex sirx
lies richer in your thoughts than on his tombx
so in approof lives not his epitaph
as in your royal speechx
kingx
would i were with himx he would always sayxx
methinks i hear him nowx his plausive words
he scatterxd not in earsx but grafted them
to grow there and to bearxxxlet me not livexx
this his good melancholy oft began
on the catastrophe and heel of pastimex
when it was outxxxlet me not livex quoth hex
xafter my flame lacks oilx to be the snuff
of younger spiritsx whose apprehensive senses
all but new things disdainx whose judgments are
mere fathers of their garmentsx whose constancies
expire before their fashionsxx this he wishxdx
ix after himx do after him wish toox
since i nor wax nor honey can bring homex
i quickly were dissolved from my hive
to give some labourers roomx
second lordx
youxre lovxdx sirx
they that least lend it you shall lack you firstx
kingx
i fill a placex i knowxtx how long isxtx countx
since the physician at your fatherxs diedx
he was much famxdx
bertramx
some six months sincex my lordx
kingx
if he were livingx i would try him yetxx
lend me an armxxthe rest have worn me out
with several applicationsx nature and sickness
debate it at their leisurex welcomex countx
my sonxs no dearerx
bertramx
thank your majestyx
xxexeuntx flourishxxx
scene iiix rossillonx a room in the palacex
enter countessx steward and clownx
countessx
i will now hearx what say you of this gentlewomanx
stewardx
madamx the care i have had to even your contentx i wish might be found
in the calendar of my past endeavoursx for then we wound our modestyx
and make foul the clearness of our deservingsx when of ourselves we
publish themx
countessx
what does this knave herex get you gonex sirrahx the complaints i have
heard of you i do not all believex xtis my slowness that i do notx for
i know you lack not folly to commit themx and have ability enough to
make such knaveries yoursx
clownx
xtis not unknown to youx madamx i am a poor fellowx
countessx
wellx sirx
clownx
nox madamx xtis not so well that i am poorx though many of the rich are
damnedx but if i may have your ladyshipxs good will to go to the worldx
isbel the woman and i will do as we mayx
countessx
wilt thou needs be a beggarx
clownx
i do beg your good will in this casex
countessx
in what casex
clownx
in isbelxs case and mine ownx service is no heritagex and i think i
shall never have the blessing of god till i have issue of my bodyx for
they say barnes are blessingsx
countessx
tell me thy reason why thou wilt marryx
clownx
my poor bodyx madamx requires itx i am driven on by the fleshx and he
must needs go that the devil drivesx
countessx
is this all your worshipxs reasonx
clownx
faithx madamx i have other holy reasonsx such as they arex
countessx
may the world know themx
clownx
i have beenx madamx a wicked creaturex as you and all flesh and blood
arex and indeed i do marry that i may repentx
countessx
thy marriagex sooner than thy wickednessx
clownx
i am out of friendsx madamx and i hope to have friends for my wifexs
sakex
countessx
such friends are thine enemiesx knavex
clownx
yxare shallowx madamx in great friendsx for the knaves come to do that
for me which i am axweary ofx he that ears my land spares my teamx and
gives me leave to in the cropx if i be his cuckoldx hexs my drudgex he
that comforts my wife is the cherisher of my flesh and bloodx he that
cherishes my flesh and blood loves my flesh and bloodx he that loves my
flesh and blood is my friendx ergox he that kisses my wife is my
friendx if men could be contented to be what they arex there were no
fear in marriagex for young charbon the puritan and old poysam the
papistx howsomexer their hearts are severxd in religionx their heads
are both onex they may jowl horns together like any deer ix the herdx
countessx
wilt thou ever be a foulxmouthxd and calumnious knavex
clownx
a prophet ix madamx and i speak the truth the next wayx
xfor i the ballad will repeatx
which men full true shall findx
your marriage comes by destinyx
your cuckoo sings by kindxx
countessx
get you gonex sirx ixll talk with you more anonx
stewardx
may it please youx madamx that he bid helen come to youx of her i am to
speakx
countessx
sirrahx tell my gentlewoman i would speak with herx helen i meanx
clownx
xxsingsxxx
x was this fair face the causex quoth shex
why the grecians sacked troyx
fond donex done fondx
was this king priamxs joyx
with that she sighed as she stoodx
with that she sighed as she stoodx
and gave this sentence thenx
among nine bad if one be goodx
among nine bad if one be goodx
therexs yet one good in tenxx
countessx
whatx one good in tenx you corrupt the songx sirrahx
clownx
one good woman in tenx madamx which is a purifying ox the songx would
god would serve the world so all the yearx wexd find no fault with the
tithexwomanx if i were the parsonx one in tenx quoth xax and we might
have a good woman born but or every blazing starx or at an earthquakex
xtwould mend the lottery wellx a man may draw his heart out ere he
pluck onex
countessx
youxll be gonex sir knavex and do as i command youx
clownx
that man should be at womanxs commandx and yet no hurt donex though
honesty be no puritanx yet it will do no hurtx it will wear the
surplice of humility over the black gown of a big heartx i am goingx
forsoothx the business is for helen to come hitherx
xxexitxxx
countessx
wellx nowx
stewardx
i knowx madamx you love your gentlewoman entirelyx
countessx
faith i dox her father bequeathxd her to mex and she herselfx without
other advantagex may lawfully make title to as much love as she findsx
there is more owing her than is paidx and more shall be paid her than
shexll demandx
stewardx
madamx i was very late more near her than i think she wishxd mex alone
she wasx and did communicate to herself her own words to her own earsx
she thoughtx i dare vow for herx they touchxd not any stranger sensex
her matter wasx she loved your sonx fortunex she saidx was no goddessx
that had put such difference betwixt their two estatesx love no godx
that would not extend his might only where qualities were levelx diana
no queen of virginsx that would suffer her poor knight surprisxdx
without rescue in the first assault or ransom afterwardx this she
deliverxd in the most bitter touch of sorrow that exer i heard virgin
exclaim inx which i held my duty speedily to acquaint you withalx
sithencex in the loss that may happenx it concerns you something to
know itx
countessx
you have dischargxd this honestlyx keep it to yourselfx many
likelihoods informxd me of this beforex which hung so tottering in the
balance that i could neither believe nor misdoubtx pray you leave mex
stall this in your bosomx and i thank you for your honest carex i will
speak with you further anonx
xxexit stewardxxx
enter helenax
even so it was with me when i was youngx
if ever we are naturexsx these are oursx this thorn
doth to our rose of youth rightly belongx
our blood to usx this to our blood is bornx
it is the show and seal of naturexs truthx
where lovexs strong passion is impressxd in youthx
by our remembrances of days foregonex
such were our faultsx or then we thought them nonex
her eye is sick onxtx i observe her nowx
helenax
what is your pleasurex madamx
countessx
you knowx helenx
i am a mother to youx
helenax
mine honourable mistressx
countessx
nayx a motherx
why not a motherx when i said a motherx
methought you saw a serpentx whatxs in motherx
that you start at itx i say i am your motherx
and put you in the catalogue of those
that were enwombed minex xtis often seen
adoption strives with naturex and choice breeds
a native slip to us from foreign seedsx
you nexer oppressxd me with a motherxs groanx
yet i express to you a motherxs carex
godxs mercyx maidenx does it curd thy blood
to say i am thy motherx whatxs the matterx
that this distempered messenger of wetx
the manyxcolourxd irisx rounds thine eyex
xwhyx that you are my daughterx
helenax
that i am notx
countessx
i sayx i am your motherx
helenax
pardonx madamx
the count rossillon cannot be my brotherx
i am from humblex he from honoured namex
no note upon my parentsx his all noblex
my masterx my dear lord he isx and i
his servant livex and will his vassal diex
he must not be my brotherx
countessx
nor i your motherx
helenax
you are my motherx madamx would you werex
so that my lord your son were not my brotherxx
indeed my motherx or were you both our mothersx
i care no more for than i do for heavenx
so i were not his sisterx canxt no otherx
butx i your daughterx he must be my brotherx
countessx
yesx helenx you might be my daughterxinxlawx
god shield you mean it notx daughter and mother
so strive upon your pulsex whatx pale againx
my fear hath catchxd your fondnessx now i see
the mystery of your lonelinessx and find
your salt tearsx headx now to all sense xtis gross
you love my sonx invention is ashamxdx
against the proclamation of thy passion
to say thou dost notx therefore tell me truex
but tell me thenx xtis sox forx lookx thy cheeks
confess itx txone to thxotherx and thine eyes
see it so grossly shown in thy behavioursx
that in their kind they speak itx only sin
and hellish obstinacy tie thy tonguex
that truth should be suspectedx speakx isxt sox
if it be sox you have wound a goodly clewx
if it be notx forswearxtx howexerx i charge theex
as heaven shall work in me for thine availx
to tell me trulyx
helenax
good madamx pardon mex
countessx
do you love my sonx
helenax
your pardonx noble mistressx
countessx
love you my sonx
helenax
do not you love himx madamx
countessx
go not aboutx my love hath inxt a bond
whereof the world takes notex comex comex disclose
the state of your affectionx for your passions
have to the full appeachxdx
helenax
then i confessx
here on my kneex before high heaven and youx
that before youx and next unto high heavenx
i love your sonx
my friends were poorx but honestx soxs my lovex
be not offendedx for it hurts not him
that he is lovxd of mex i follow him not
by any token of presumptuous suitx
nor would i have him till i do deserve himx
yet never know how that desert should bex
i know i love in vainx strive against hopex
yet in this captious and inteemable sieve
i still pour in the waters of my love
and lack not to lose stillx thusx indianxlikex
religious in mine errorx i adore
the sun that looks upon his worshipperx
but knows of him no morex my dearest madamx
let not your hate encounter with my lovex
for loving where you dox but if yourselfx
whose aged honour cites a virtuous youthx
did everx in so true a flame of likingx
wish chastelyx and love dearlyx that your dian
was both herself and lovex o thenx give pity
to her whose state is such that cannot choose
but lend and give where she is sure to losex
that seeks not to find that her search impliesx
but riddlexlikex lives sweetly where she diesx
countessx
had you not lately an intentxxspeak trulyxx
to go to parisx
helenax
madamx i hadx
countessx
whereforex tell truex
helenax
i will tell truthx by grace itself i swearx
you know my father left me some prescriptions
of rare and provxd effectsx such as his reading
and manifest experience had collected
for general sovereigntyx and that he willxd me
in heedfullxst reservation to bestow themx
as notes whose faculties inclusive were
more than they were in notex amongst the rest
there is a remedyx approvxdx set downx
to cure the desperate languishings whereof
the king is renderxd lostx
countessx
this was your motive
for parisx was itx speakx
helenax
my lord your son made me to think of thisx
else parisx and the medicinex and the kingx
had from the conversation of my thoughts
haply been absent thenx
countessx
but think youx helenx
if you should tender your supposed aidx
he would receive itx he and his physicians
are of a mindx hex that they cannot help himx
theyx that they cannot helpx how shall they credit
a poor unlearned virginx when the schoolsx
embowellxd of their doctrinex have let off
the danger to itselfx
helenax
therexs something inxt
more than my fatherxs skillx which was the greatxst
of his professionx that his good receipt
shall for my legacy be sanctified
by thx luckiest stars in heavenx and would your honour
but give me leave to try successx ixd venture
the wellxlost life of mine on his gracexs curex
by such a dayx an hourx
countessx
dost thou believextx
helenax
ayx madamx knowinglyx
countessx
whyx helenx thou shalt have my leave and lovex
means and attendantsx and my loving greetings
to those of mine in courtx ixll stay at homex
and pray godxs blessing into thy attemptx
be gone tomorrowx and be sure of thisx
what i can help thee tox thou shalt not missx
xxexeuntxxx
act iix
scene ix parisx a room in the kingxs palacex
flourishx enter the king with young lords taking leave for the
florentine warx bertramx parolles and attendantsx
kingx
farewellx young lordsx these warlike principles
do not throw from youx and youx my lordsx farewellx
share the advice betwixt youx if both gain allx
the gift doth stretch itself as xtis receivxdx
and is enough for bothx
first lordx
xtis our hopex sirx
after wellxentxred soldiersx to return
and find your grace in healthx
kingx
nox nox it cannot bex and yet my heart
will not confess he owes the malady
that doth my life besiegex farewellx young lordsx
whether i live or diex be you the sons
of worthy frenchmenx let higher italyxx
those bated that inherit but the fall
of the last monarchyxsee that you come
not to woo honourx but to wed itx when
the bravest questant shrinksx find what you seekx
that fame may cry you loudx i say farewellx
second lordx
healthx at your bidding serve your majestyx
kingx
those girls of italyx take heed of themx
they say our french lack language to deny
if they demandx beware of being captives
before you servex
bothx
our hearts receive your warningsx
kingx
farewellxxcome hither to mex
xxthe king retires to a couchxxx
first lordx
o my sweet lordx that you will stay behind usx
parollesx
xtis not his faultx the sparkx
second lordx
ox xtis brave warsx
parollesx
most admirablex i have seen those warsx
bertramx
i am commanded herex and kept a coil withx
xtoo youngxx and xthe next yearx and xxtis too earlyxx
parollesx
an thy mind stand toxtx boyx steal away bravelyx
bertramx
i shall stay here the forehorse to a smockx
creaking my shoes on the plain masonryx
till honour be bought upx and no sword worn
but one to dance withx by heavenx ixll steal awayx
first lordx
therexs honour in the theftx
parollesx
commit itx countx
second lordx
i am your accessaryx and so farewellx
bertramx
i grow to youx and our parting is a torturxd bodyx
first lordx
farewellx captainx
second lordx
sweet monsieur parollesx
parollesx
noble heroesx my sword and yours are kinx good sparks and lustrousx a
wordx good metalsx you shall find in the regiment of the spinii one
captain spuriox with his cicatricex an emblem of warx here on his
sinister cheekx it was this very sword entrenchxd itx say to him i
livex and observe his reports for mex
first lordx
we shallx noble captainx
parollesx
mars dote on you for his novicesx
xxexeunt lordsxxx
what will ye dox
bertramx
stay the kingx
parollesx
use a more spacious ceremony to the noble lordsx you have restrainxd
yourself within the list of too cold an adieux be more expressive to
themx for they wear themselves in the cap of the timex there do muster
true gaitx eatx speakx and movex under the influence of the most
receivxd starx and though the devil lead the measurex such are to be
followedx after themx and take a more dilated farewellx
bertramx
and i will do sox
parollesx
worthy fellowsx and like to prove most sinewy swordxmenx
xxexeunt bertram and parollesxxx
enter lafewx
lafewx