William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet XLVIII
How careful
was I when I took my way,
Each trifle under
truest bars to thrust,
That to my use it
might unused stay
From hands of falsehood,
in sure wards of trust!
But thou, to whom
my jewels trifles are,
Most worthy comfort,
now my greatest grief,
Thou best of dearest,
and mine only care,
Art left the prey
of every vulgar thief.
Thee have I not lock'd
up in any chest,
Save where thou art
not, though I feel thou art,
Within the gentle
closure of my breast,
From whence at pleasure
thou mayst come and part;
And even thence thou wilt be stol'n I fear,
For truth proves thievish for a prize so dear.
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