My love is strengthened, though more weak in seeming.
I love not less, though less the show appear.
That love is merchandized whose rich esteeming
The owner’s tongue doth publish everywhere.
Our love was new and then but in the spring
When I was wont to greet it with my lays,
As Philomel in summer’s front doth sing,
And stops her pipe in growth of riper days–
Not that summer is less pleasant now
Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night,
But that wild music burdens every bough,
And sweets grown common lose their dear delight.
Therefore like her I sometime hold my tongue,
Because I would not dull you with my song.
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COMMENTS
One response to “Shakespeare Thursday: Sonnet 102”
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What a conundrum it is to me that a simple phrase can become so much more alive when made complicated and requires a focused, mental investment – my heart gets involved somehow. That was a beautiful way of saying, ‘My love is constant. Know that. But cherish my words.’ You think?
Shakespeare was a wizard of words!