English poem
Sonnet 98: From you have I been absent in the spring
From you have I been absent in the spring, When proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim, Hath put a spirit of youth in every thing, That heavy Saturn laugh'd and leap'd with him. Yet nor the lays of birds, nor the sweet smell Of different flowers in odour and in hue, Could make me any summer's story tell, Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew: Nor did I wonder at the lily's white, Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; They were but sweet, but figures of delight, Drawn after you, you pattern of all those. Yet seem'd it winter still, and you away, As with your shadow I with these did play.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 94: They that have power to hurt, and will do none
- Sonnet 95: How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame
- Sonnet 96: Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness
- Sonnet 97: How like a winter hath my absence been
- Sonnet 99: The forward violet thus did I chide
- Sonnet 9: Is it for fear to wet a widow's eye
- Spring
- Spring and Winter ii