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- Edition: The Sonnets
The Sonnets (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
1711115
1712Those lines that I before have writ do lie,
1713Even those that said I could not love you dearer;
1714Yet then my judgment knew no reason why
1715My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer.
1716But reckoning time, whose millioned accidents
1717Creep in 'twixt vows, and change decrees of kings,
1718Tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp'st intents,
1719Divert strong minds to th'course of alt'ring things;
1720Alas, why, fearing of time's tyranny,
1721Might I not then say, "Now I love you best,"
1722When I was certain o'er incertainty,
1723Crowning the present, doubting of the rest?
1724 Love is a babe; then might I not say so,
1725 To give full growth to that which still doth grow?
1726116
1727Let me not to the marriage of true minds
1728Admit impediments; love is not love
1729Which alters when it alteration finds,
1730Or bends with the remover to remove.
1731Oh no, it is an ever-fixèd mark,
1732That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
1733It is the star to every wand'ring bark,
1734Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
1735Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
1736Within his bending sickle's compass come;
1737Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
1738But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
1739 If this be error and upon me proved,
1740 I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
1741117
1742Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
1743Wherein I should your great deserts repay,
1744Forgot upon your dearest love to call,
1745Whereto all bonds do tie me day by day;
1746That I have frequent been with unknown minds,
1747And given to time your own dear-purchased right;
1748That I have hoisted sail to all the winds
1749Which should transport me farthest from your sight.
1750Book both my wilfulness and errors down,
1751And on just proof surmise accumulate;
1752Bring me within the level of your frown,
1753But shoot not at me in your wakened hate:
1754 Since my appeal says I did strive to prove
1755 The constancy and virtue of your love.