THE RETURN Thus can my love excuse the slow offence Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed: O, what excuse will my poor beast then find, Then can no horse with my desire keep pace; Since from thee going he went wilful-slow, CARUM QUOD RARUM So am I as the rich, whose blesséd key Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare, So is the time that keeps you as my chest, Blessed are you, whose worthiness gives scope, REALITY AND SHADOW What is your substance? whereof are you made, Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit On Helen's cheek all art of beauty set, Speak of the spring and foison of the year; In all external grace you have some part, THE TRUE AND THE FALSE O, how much more doth beauty beauteous seem The canker-blooms have full as deep a dye Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly When summer's breath their maskéd buds discloses : But, for their virtue only is their show, They live unwoo'd and unrespected fade, Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made: And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth, When that shall fade, my verse distils your truth. EXEGI MONUMENTUM Not marble, nor the gilded monuments When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory. Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room Even in the eyes of all posterity That wear this world out to the ending doom. So, till the judgment that yourself arise, You live in this, and dwell in lovers' eyes. |