English poem
Sonnet 67: Ah! wherefore with infection should he live
Ah! wherefore with infection should he live, And with his presence grace impiety, That sin by him advantage should achieve, And lace itself with his society? Why should false painting imitate his cheek, And steel dead seeming of his living hue? Why should poor beauty indirectly seek Roses of shadow, since his rose is true? Why should he live, now Nature bankrupt is, Beggar'd of blood to blush through lively veins? For she hath no exchequer now but his, And proud of many, lives upon his gains. O! him she stores, to show what wealth she had In days long since, before these last so bad.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 63: Against my love shall be as I am now
- Sonnet 64: When I have seen by Time's fell hand defac'd
- Sonnet 65: Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea
- Sonnet 66: Tired with all these, for restful death I cry
- Sonnet 68: Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn
- Sonnet 69: Those parts of thee that the world's eye doth view
- Sonnet 6: Then let not winter's ragged hand deface
- Sonnet 70: That thou art blam'd shall not be thy defect