English poem
Sonnet 37: As a decrepit father takes delight
As a decrepit father takes delight To see his active child do deeds of youth, So I, made lame by Fortune's dearest spite, Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth; For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit, Or any of these all, or all, or more, Entitled in thy parts, do crowned sit, I make my love engrafted, to this store: So then I am not lame, poor, nor despis'd, Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give That I in thy abundance am suffic'd, And by a part of all thy glory live. Look what is best, that best I wish in thee: This wish I have; then ten times happy me!
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 33: Full many a glorious morning have I seen
- Sonnet 34: Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day
- Sonnet 35: No more be griev'd at that which thou hast done
- Sonnet 36: Let me confess that we two must be twain
- Sonnet 38: How can my muse want subject to invent
- Sonnet 39: O! how thy worth with manners may I sing
- Sonnet 3: Look in thy glass and tell the face thou viewest
- Sonnet 40: Take all my loves, my love, yea take them all