Sonnet XXI, by
William Shakespeare
So is it not with me as with that
muse
Stirred by
a painted beauty to his verse,
Who heaven itself for ornament doth use,
And every fair with his fair doth rehearse,
Making a couplement of proud compare
With
sun and
moon, with
earth, and sea's rich gems,
With
April's first-born flowers, and
all things rare
That heaven's air in this huge rondure hems.
O let me, true in love, but truly write,
And then believe me my love is as fair
As any mother's child, though not so bright
As those gold candles fixed in heaven's air.
Let them say more that like of hearsay well;
I will not praise that purpose not to sell.
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