Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Phoenix and Turtle (Quarto, 1601)
  • Editor: Hardy M. Cook
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-411-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Hardy M. Cook
    Not Peer Reviewed

    The Phoenix and Turtle (Quarto, 1601)

    Here the Antheme doth commence,
    Loue and Constancie is dead,
    Phoenix and the Turtle fled,
    In a mutuall flame from hence.
    25So they loued as loue in twaine,
    Had the essence but in one,
    171
    Two distincts, Diuision none,
    Number there in loue was slaine.
    Hearts remote, yet not asunder;
    30Distance and no space was seene,
    Twixt this Turtle and his Queene;
    But in them it were a wonder.
    So betweene them Loue did shine,
    That the Turtle saw his right,
    35Flaming in the Phoenix sight;
    Either was the others mine.
    Propertie was thus appalled,
    That the selfe was not the same:
    Single Natures double name,
    40Neither two nor one was called.