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  • 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)

    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,
    1685Seemes seeing, but effectually is out:
    For it no forme deliuers to the heart
    Of bird, of flowre, or shape which it doth lack,
    Of his quick obiects hath the minde no part,
    Nor his owne vision houlds what it doth catch:
    1690For if it see the rud'st or gentlest sight,
    The most sweet-fauor or deformedst creature,
    The mountaine, or the sea, the day, or night:
    The Croe, or Doue, it shapes them to your feature.
    Incapable of more repleat, with you,
    1695My most true minde thus maketh mine vntrue.
    II4
    OR whether doth my minde being crown'd with you
    Drinke vp the monarks plague this flattery ?
    Or whether shall I say mine eie saith true,
    1700And that your loue taught it this Alcumie?
    To make of monsters, and things indigest,
    Such cherubines as your sweet selfe resemble,
    Creating euery bad a perfect best
    As fast as obiects to his beames assemble:
    1705Oh tis the first, tis flatry in my seeing,
    And my great minde most kingly drinkes it vp,
    Mine eie well knowes what with his gust is greeing,
    And to his pallat doth prepare the cup.
    If it be poison'd, tis the lesser sinne,
    1710That mine eye loues it and doth first beginne.
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