Shakespeare's Sonnets: If thy soul check thee that I come so near

Shakespeare's Sonnets: If thy soul check thee that I come so near

Sonnet 136

Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): i1r.
1If thy soul check thee that I come so near,
2Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy Will;
3And will, thy soul knows, is admitted there.
4Thus far for love, my love-suit sweet fulfill.
5Will will fulfill the treasure of thy love.
6I fill it full with wills, and my will one.
7In things of great receipt with ease we prove,
8Among a number, one is reckon'd none:
9Then in the number let me pass untold.
10Though in thy store's account I one must be,
11For nothing hold me, so it please thee hold
12That nothing me, a some-thing sweet to thee.
13    Make but my name thy love, and love that still,
14    And then thou lov'st me for my name is Will.

Notes

1] check] reprimand. Back to Line
2] thy Will] desire, carnal appetite (OED, "will," n. 1, 2), William (the poet author; OED, "Will," n.3). Back to Line
6] I] sometimes emended to "Aye". full with wills] including the poet and William Herbert, if he is the beloved (in which event Shakespeare implies that he supplied her with his friend). it] The antecedent seems to be "love" (5). will one] "my will, one (of them)"; possibly playing on "William." Back to Line
8] one is reckon'd none] rounded off, we might say. Back to Line
9] untold] uncounted. Back to Line
12] nothing ... some-thing] alluding also to female and male genitalia. Back to Line
13] my name] "Will." still] always. Back to Line
14] lov'st: lovest Q. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1609
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
ababcdcdefefbb
Form
sonnet