William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet XXXVIII
How can my
muse want subject to invent,
While thou dost breathe,
that pour'st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument,
too excellent
For every vulgar paper
to rehearse?
O! give thy self the
thanks, if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand
against thy sight;
For who's so dumb
that cannot write to thee,
When thou thy self
dost give invention light?
Be thou the tenth
Muse, ten times more in worth
Than those old nine
which rhymers invocate;
And he that calls
on thee, let him bring forth
Eternal numbers to
outlive long date.
If my slight muse do please these curious days,
The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise.
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