Shakespeare's Sonnets: Alack, what poverty my muse brings forth
Shakespeare's Sonnets: Alack, what poverty my muse brings forth
Sonnet 103
Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): g2r-g2v.
1Alack, what poverty my muse brings forth,
3The argument all bare is of more worth
4Than when it hath my added praise beside.
5Oh blame me not if I no more can write!
8Dulling my lines, and doing me disgrace.
9Were it not sinful then, striving to mend,
10To mar the subject that before was well?
12Than of your graces and your gifts to tell;
13 And more, much more than in my verse can sit
14 Your own glass shows you when you look in it.
Notes
2] show her pride] excel. Back to Line
6] glass] mirror. Back to Line
7] over-goes] exceeds. Back to Line
11] pass] outcome. tend] aim. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1609
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
Form