William Shakespeare (ca. 1564-1616)
Shakespeare's Sonnets: How can my muse want subject to invent
Sonnet 38
1How can my muse want subject to invent
2While thou dost breathe that pour'st into my verse
3Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
4For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
5Oh give thy self the thanks if aught in me
6Worthy perusal stand against thy sight,
7For who's so dumb that cannot write to thee
8When thou thy self dost give invention light?
9Be thou the tenth muse, ten times more in worth
10Than those old nine which rhymers invocate,
11And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth
12Eternal numbers to out-live long date.
13 If my slight muse do please these curious days,
14 The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
Notes
7] dumb] mute.
9] Classical sources name nine muses, one for each art form.
10] invocate] call on, invoke.
12] numbers] verses, characterized by metrical feet. Shakespeare counted the syllables in his lines.
13] curious] fastidious.
Online text copyright © 2012, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): c4v-d1r.
First publication date:
1609
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2008
Recent editing: 1:2008/8/23*1:2008/8/23
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: ababcdcdefefgg
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