William Shakespeare (ca. 1564-1616)
Shakespeare's Sonnets: So am I as the rich whose blessèd key
Sonnet 52
1So am I as the rich whose blessèd key
2Can bring him to his sweet up-lockèd treasure,
3The which he will not ev'ry hour survey
4For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.
5Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare,
6Since seldom coming in the long year set,
7Like stones of worth they thinly placèd are,
8Or captain jewels in the carcanet.
9So is the time that keeps you as my chest,
10Or as the ward-robe which the robe doth hide
11To make some special instant special bless't
12By new unfolding his imprison'd pride.
13 Blessèd are you whose worthiness gives scope,
14 Being had, to triumph, being lack't, to hope.
Notes
2] Extrametrical, with line 4.
4] Extrametrical. seldom] rare.
8] captain] principal, outstanding. carcanet] "ornamental collar or necklace, usually of gold or set with jewels" (OED).
11] instant] moment.
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): d3v.
RPO poem editor: Ian Lancashire
RP edition: 2008
Recent editing: 1:2008/8/24
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: ababcdcdefefgg
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