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About this text

  • Title: Shake-speares Sonnets (Quarto 1, 1609)
  • Editors: Hardy M. Cook, Ian Lancashire

  • Copyright Hardy M. Cook and Ian Lancashire. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editors: Hardy M. Cook, Ian Lancashire
    Peer Reviewed

    Shake-speares Sonnets (Quarto 1, 1609)

    SONNETS.

    Then giue me welcome, next my heauen the best,
    1650Euen to thy pure and most most louing brest.

    III

    O For my sake doe you wish fortune chide,
    The guiltie goddesse of my harmfull deeds,
    That did not better for my life prouide,
    1655Then publick meanes which publick manners breeds.
    Thence comes it that my name receiues a brand,
    And almost thence my nature is subdu'd
    To what it workes in, like the Dyers hand,
    Pitty me then, and wish I were renu'de,
    1660Whilst like a willing pacient I will drinke,
    Potions of Eysell gainst my strong infection,
    No bitternesse that I will bitter thinke,
    Nor double pennance to correct correction.
    Pittie me then deare friend, and I assure yee,
    1665 Euen that your pittie is enough to cure mee.

    II2

    YOur loue and pittie doth th'impression fill,
    Which vulgar scandall stampt vpon my brow,
    For what care I who calles me well or ill,
    1670So you ore-greene my bad, my good alow?
    You are my All the world, and I must striue,
    To know my shames and praises from your tounge,
    None else to me, nor I to none aliue,
    That my steel'd sence or changes right or wrong,
    1675In so profound Abisme I throw all care
    Of others voyces, that my Adders sence,
    To cryttick and to flatterer stopped are:
    Marke how with my neglect I doe dispence.
    You are so strongly in my purpose bred,
    1680That all the world besides me thinkes y'are dead.

    II3

    SInce I left you, mine eye is in my minde,
    And that which gouernes me to goe about,
    Doth part his function, and is partly blind,
    Seemes