'Mongst all the creatures in this spacious round Of the birds' kind, the phoenix is alone, Which best by you of living things is known; None like to that, none like to you is found!...
To this our world, to learning, and to heaven, Three nines there are, to every one a nine; One number of the earth, the other both divine; One woman now makes three odd numbers even....
Stay, speedy time! Behold, before thou pass From age to age, what thou hast sought to see, One in whom all the excellencies be, In whom heaven looks itself as in a glass....
An evil spirit, your beauty, haunts me still, Wherewith, alas, I have been long possessed! Which ceaseth not to tempt me to each ill, Nor give me once but one poor minute's rest....
A witless gallant a young wench that wooed-- Yet his dull spirit her not one jot could move-- Intreated me as e'er I wished his good, To write him but one sonnet to his love....
Love, banished heaven, in earth was held in scorn, Wand'ring abroad in need and beggary; And wanting friends, though of a goddess born, Yet craved the alms of such as pass'd by....
With fools and children good discretion bears; Then, honest people, bear with love and me, Nor older yet nor wiser made by years, Amongst the rest of fools and children be....
I hear some say, "This man is not in love!" "Who! can he love? a likely thing!" they say. "Read but his verse, and it will easily prove!" O, judge not rashly, gentle Sir, I pray!...
When conquering love did first my heart assail, Unto mine aid I summoned every sense, Doubting if that proud tyrant should prevail, My heart should suffer for mine eyes' offence....
O, why should nature niggardly restrain That foreign nations relish not our tongue? Else should my lines glide on the waves of Rhine, And crown the Pyren's with my living song....
Is not love here as 'tis in other climes, And differeth it as do the several nations? Or hath it lost the virtue with the times, Or in this island alt'reth with the fashions?...
To such as say thy love I overprize, And do not stick to term my praises folly, Against these folks that think themselves so wise, I thus oppose my reason's forces wholly:...
I ever love where never hope appears, Yet hope draws on my never-hoping care, And my life's hope would die but for despair; My never certain joy breeds ever certain fears....
Whilst yet mine eyes do surfeit with delight, My woful heart imprisoned in my breast, Wisheth to be transform'd to my sight, That it like those by looking might be blest....
Our floods' queen, Thames, for ships and swans is crowned, And stately Severn for her shore is praised; The crystal Trent for fords and fish renowned, And Avon's fame to Albion's cliff is raised....
Methinks I see some crooked mimic jeer, And tax my Muse with this fantastic grace; Turning my papers asks, "What have we here?" Making withal some filthy antic face....
Marvel not, love, though I thy power admire, Ravished a world beyond the farthest thought, And knowing more than ever hath been taught, That I am only starved in my desire....
Some, when in rhyme they of their loves do tell, With flames and lightnings their exordiums paint. Some call on heaven, some invocate on hell, And Fates and Furies, with their woes acquaint....
Those priests which first the vestal fire begun, Which might be borrowed from no earthly flame, Devised a vessel to receive the sun, Being stedfastly oppos'd to the same;...
Thou purblind boy, since thou hast been so slack To wound her heart whose eyes have wounded me And suffered her to glory in my wrack, Thus to my aid I lastly conjure thee!...