William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet CXIX
What potions
have I drunk of Siren tears,
Distill'd from limbecks
foul as hell within,
Applying fears to
hopes, and hopes to fears,
Still losing when
I saw myself to win!
What wretched errors
hath my heart committed,
Whilst it hath thought
itself so blessed never!
How have mine eyes
out of their spheres been fitted,
In the distraction
of this madding fever!
O benefit of ill!
now I find true
That better is, by
evil still made better;
And ruin'd love, when
it is built anew,
Grows fairer than
at first, more strong, far greater.
So I return rebuk'd to my content,
And gain by ill thrice more than I have spent.
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