Shakespeare's Sonnets: O never say that I was false of heart

Shakespeare's Sonnets: O never say that I was false of heart

Sonnet 109

Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): g3v.
1O never say that I was false of heart,
2Though absence seem'd my flame to qualify.
3As easy might I from my self depart
4As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie.
5That is my home of love: if I have rang'd
6Like him that travels, I return again,
7Just to the time, not with the time exchang'd,
8So that my self bring water for my stain.
9Never believe, though in my nature reign'd
10All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,
11That it could so prepost'rously be stain'd
12To leave for nothing all thy sum of good:
13    For nothing this wide universe I call,
14    Save thou, my rose: in it thou art my all.

Notes

2] qualify] diminish. Back to Line
7] Just to the time] on time. exchang'd] changed. Back to Line
8] stain] disgrace. Back to Line
11] prepost'rously] preposterouslie Q. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1609
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
ababcdcdefefgg
Form
sonnet