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- Edition: The Sonnets
The Sonnets (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
108073
1081That time of year thou mayst in me behold,
1082When yellow leaves, or none, or few do hang
1083Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
1084Bare ruined choirs where late the sweet birds sang.
1085In me thou seest the twilight of such day
1086As after sunset fadeth in the west,
1087Which by and by black night doth take away,
1088Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
1089In me thou seest the glowing of such fire
1090That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
1091As the deathbed, whereon it must expire,
1092Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
1093 This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
1094 To love that well, which thou must leave ere long.
109574
1096But be contented when that fell arrest
1097Without all bail shall carry me away;
1098My life hath in this line some interest,
1099Which for memorial still with thee shall stay.
1100When thou reviewest this, thou dost review
1101The very part was consecrate to thee;
1102The earth can have but earth, which is his due,
1103My spirit is thine, the better part of me;
1104So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life,
1105The prey of worms, my body being dead,
1106The coward conquest of a wretch's knife,
1107Too base of thee to be remembered.
1108 The worth of that, is that which it contains,
1109 And that is this, and this with thee remains.
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1111So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
1112Or as sweet-seasoned showers are to the ground;
1113And for the peace of you I hold such strife
1114As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found.
1115Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon
1116Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure;
1117Now counting best to be with you alone,
1118Then bettered that the world may see my pleasure;
1119Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
1120And by and by clean starvèd for a look,
1121Possessing or pursuing no delight
1122Save what is had, or must from you be took.
1123 Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day,
1124 Or gluttoning on all, or all away.