William Shakespeare (ca. 1564-1616)
Shakespeare's Sonnets: How careful was I when I took my way
Sonnet 48
1How careful was I, when I took my way,
2Each trifle under truest bars to thrust
3That to my use it might un-usèd stay
4From hands of falsehood, in sure wards of trust;
5But thou, to whom my jewels trifles are,
6Most worthy comfort, now my greatest grief,
7Thou best of dearest, and mine only care,
8Art left the prey of every vulgar thief.
9Thee have I not lock't up in any chest,
10Save where thou art not, though I feel thou art,
11Within the gentle closure of my breast,
12From whence at pleasure thou may'st come and part,
13 And even thence thou wilt be stol'n, I fear,
14 For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.
Notes
4] wards] guards.
5] to whom] in comparison with which.
14] truth] faithfulness.
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:
Publication date note: SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): d2v-d3r.
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2008
Recent editing: 1:2008/8/24
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: ababcdcdefefgg
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