Shakespeare's Sonnets: Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch

Shakespeare's Sonnets: Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch

Sonnet 143

Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): i2v.
1Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch
2One of her feathered creatures broke away,
3Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatch
4In pursuit of the thing she would have stay,
5Whil'st her neglected child holds her in chase,
6Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent
7To follow that which flies before her face,
8Not prizing her poor infant's discontent,
9So run'st thou after that which flies from thee,
10Whil'st I, thy babe, chase thee afar behind.
11But if thou catch thy hope, turn back to me
12And play the mother's part, kiss me, be kind.
13    So will I pray that thou may'st have thy Will,
14    If thou turn back and my loud crying still.

Notes

1] careful] worrying. Back to Line
5] holds her in chase] continues to chase her. Back to Line
14] still] put an end to. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1609
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
ababcdcdefefgg
Form
sonnet