sonnets-english

«Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul Of the wide world dreaming on things to come».  Whereas […]

«When in the chronicle of wasted time I see descriptions of the fairest wights».  Sonnet 106 is addressed […]

«Let not my love be call’d idolatry, Nor my beloved as an idol show».  As if it weren’t […]

«To me, fair friend, you never can be old, For as you were when first your eye I […]

«Alack, what poverty my Muse brings forth, That having such a scope to show her pride».  The poet […]

«My love is strengthen’d, though more weak in seeming; I love not less, though less the show appear».  […]

«O truant Muse, what shall be thy amends For thy neglect of truth in beauty dyed?».  Continuing his […]

«Where art thou, Muse, that thou forget’st so long To speak of that which gives thee all thy […]

«The forward violet thus did I chide: Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells».  Sonnet […]

«From you have I been absent in the spring, When proud-pied April dress’d in all his trim».  The […]

«How like a winter hath my absence been From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!».  The poet […]

«Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness; Some say thy grace is youth and gentle sport».  Still […]

«How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame Which, like a canker in the fragrant rose».  Employing […]

«They that have power to hurt and will do none, That do not do the thing they most […]

«So shall I live, supposing thou art true, Like a deceived husband; so love’s face».  In contrast to […]

«But do thy worst to steal thyself away, For term of life thou art assured mine».  Resignedly, the […]

«Some glory in their birth, some in their skill, Some in their wealth, some in their bodies’ force».  […]

«Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now; Now, while the world is bent my deeds to […]

«Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault, And I will comment upon that offence».  Continuing where […]

«When thou shalt be disposed to set me light, And place my merit in the eye of scorn».  […]

«Farewell! thou art too dear for my possessing, And like enough thou know’st thy estimate».  Sonnet 87 reads […]

«Was it the proud full sail of his great verse, Bound for the prize of all too precious […]

«My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still, While comments of your praise, richly compiled».  The poet likens […]

«Who is it that says most? which can say more Than this rich praise, that you alone are […]