Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: The Passionate Pilgrim (Octavo, 1599)
  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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 Passionate Pilgrim (Octavo, 1599)


    15TWo Loues I haue, of Comfort, and Despaire,
    That like two Spirits, do suggest me still:
    My better Angell is a Man (right faire)
    My worser spirite a Woman (colour'd ill.)
    To winne me soone to hell, my Female euill
    20Tempteth my better Angell from my side,
    And would corrupt my Saint to be a Diuell,
    Wooing his purity with her faire pride.
    And whether that my Angell be turnde feend,
    Suspect I may (yet not directly tell:
    25For being both to me: both, to each friend,
    I ghesse one Angell in anothers hell:
    The truth I shall not know, but liue in doubt,
    Till my bad Angell fire my good one out.
    A 4