The Sonnets (Modern)
Not Peer Reviewed
360
25
¶Let those who are in favor with their stars
¶Of public honor and proud titles boast,
¶Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars,
¶Unlooked for joy in that I honor most.
365Great princes' favorites their fair leaves spread
¶But as the marigold at the sun's eye,
¶And in themselves their pride lies buried,
¶For at a frown they in their glory die.
¶The painful warrior famousèd for worth,
370After a thousand victories once foiled,
¶Is from the book of honor razèd quite,
¶And all the rest forgot for which he toiled:
¶_Then happy I, that love and am beloved
¶_Where I may not remove, nor be removed.
375
26
¶Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
¶Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit:
¶To thee I send this written embassage
¶To witness duty, not to show my wit;
380Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
¶May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it;
¶But that I hope some good conceit of thine
¶In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it.
¶Till whatsoever star that guides my moving
385Points on me graciously with fair aspect,
¶And puts apparel on my tattered loving,
¶To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:
¶_Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
¶_Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
390
27
¶Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
¶The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
¶But then begins a journey in my head
¶To work my mind, when body's work's expired;
395For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,
¶Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,
¶And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,
¶Looking on darkness which the blind do see;
¶Save that my soul's imaginary sight
400Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,
¶Which like a jewel, hung in ghastly night,
¶Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.
¶_Lo, thus by day my limbs, by night my mind,
¶_For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.