English poem
Sonnet 51: Thus can my love excuse the slow offence
Thus can my love excuse the slow offence Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed: From where thou art why should I haste me thence? Till I return, of posting is no need. O! what excuse will my poor beast then find, When swift extremity can seem but slow? Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind, In winged speed no motion shall I know, Then can no horse with my desire keep pace; Therefore desire, of perfect'st love being made, Shall neigh--no dull flesh--in his fiery race; But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade,-- 'Since from thee going, he went wilful-slow, Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go.'
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 48: How careful was I when I took my way
- Sonnet 49: Against that time, if ever that time come
- Sonnet 4: Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend
- Sonnet 50: How heavy do I journey on the way
- Sonnet 52: So am I as the rich, whose blessed key
- Sonnet 53: What is your substance, whereof are you made
- Sonnet 54: O! how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
- Sonnet 55: Not marble, nor the gilded monuments