English poem
Sonnet 84: Who is it that says most, which can say more
Who is it that says most, which can say more, Than this rich praise,--that you alone, are you? In whose confine immured is the store Which should example where your equal grew. Lean penury within that pen doth dwell That to his subject lends not some small glory; But he that writes of you, if he can tell That you are you, so dignifies his story, Let him but copy what in you is writ, Not making worse what nature made so clear, And such a counterpart shall fame his wit, Making his style admired every where. You to your beauteous blessings add a curse, Being fond on praise, which makes your praises worse.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 80: O! how I faint when I of you do write
- Sonnet 81: Or I shall live your epitaph to make
- Sonnet 82: I grant thou wert not married to my Muse
- Sonnet 83: I never saw that you did painting need
- Sonnet 85: My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still
- Sonnet 86: Was it the proud full sail of his great verse
- Sonnet 87: Farewell! thou art too dear for my possessing
- Sonnet 88: When thou shalt be dispos'd to set me light