English poem
Sonnet 44: If the dull substance of my flesh were thought
If the dull substance of my flesh were thought, Injurious distance should not stop my way; For then despite of space I would be brought, From limits far remote, where thou dost stay. No matter then although my foot did stand Upon the farthest earth remov'd from thee; For nimble thought can jump both sea and land, As soon as think the place where he would be. But, ah! thought kills me that I am not thought, To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone, But that so much of earth and water wrought, I must attend time's leisure with my moan; Receiving nought by elements so slow But heavy tears, badges of either's woe.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 40: Take all my loves, my love, yea take them all
- Sonnet 41: Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits
- Sonnet 42: That thou hast her it is not all my grief
- Sonnet 43: When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see
- Sonnet 45: The other two, slight air, and purging fire
- Sonnet 46: Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war
- Sonnet 47: Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took
- Sonnet 48: How careful was I when I took my way