English poem
Sonnet 38: How can my muse want subject to invent
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.
More by William Shakespeare
- 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 37: As a decrepit father takes delight
- 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
- Sonnet 41: Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits