Cover
Title Page
Copyright
CONTENTS
The Editor
List of Illustrations
1 Michael Drayton's coat of arms beside Shakespeare's
2 Triumphal arch with pyramids, 'The new Arabia felix', erected above the Cheapside conduit, March 1603/4
3 Simon van de Passe, engraved portrait of William Herbert, Third Earl of Pembroke (1580–1630)
4 Dedication leaf of the 1609 Quarto
5 Dedication leaf of Ben Jonson's Volpone (1607)
6 Drawings by George Steevens and Edmond Malone inscribed on the verso of the first flyleaf of SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (1609)
7 Drawing by Max Beerbohm of 'William Shakespeare writing a sonnet' (1907)
8 Jane Lapotaire in the Channel 4 series of readings from Sonnets, 1983
9 Ben Kingsley in the Channel 4 series of readings from Sonnets, 1983
10 Opening of A Lover's Complaint in the 1609 Quarto
11 The Cheapside Hoard, a collection of Elizabethan jewels
12 Page opening from the 1609 Quarto
13 Title-page of the 1609 Quarto
14a Early transcription of sonnet 128
14b Transcription on same ms of William Browne, 'Love's Labyrinth', and Sonnet II in Francis Davison's A Poetical Rhapsody
General Editors' Preface
The Text
Commentary and Textual Notes
Preface
Introduction
Date
External evidence
Internal evidence: the likelihood of revision
Internal evidence: style
Internal evidence: topical allusions
Publishing history
The authenticity of the 1609 Quarto
Benson and beyond
Context and allusion
Reception and criticism
Reception
Criticism
Shakespeare's Sonnets
The title
The relevance of A Lover's Complaint
Sonnet structure, Sonnets structure
This edition
SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS
Sonnets
By number
1 From fairest creatures we desire increase
2 When forty winters shall besiege thy brow
3 Look in thy glass, and tell the face thou viewest
4 Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend
5 Those hours that with gentle work did frame
6 Then let not winter's ragged hand deface
7 Lo, in the Orient when the gracious light
8 Music to hear, why hear'st thou music sadly?
9 Is it for fear to wet a widow's eye
10 For shame deny that thou bear'st love to any
11 As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'st
12 When I do count the clock that tells the time
13 O that you were yourself! But, love, you are
14 Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck
15 When I consider everything that grows
16 But wherefore do not you a mightier way
17 Who will believe my verse in time to come
18 Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
19 Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws
20 A woman's face with nature's own hand painted
21 So is it not with me as with that Muse
22 My glass shall not persuade me I am old
23 As an unperfect actor on the stage
24 Mine eye hath played the painter, and hath steeled
25 Let those who are in favour with their stars
26 Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
27 Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed
28 How can I then return in happy plight
29 When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
30 When to the sessions of sweet silent thought
31 Thy bosom is endeared with all hearts
32 If thou survive my well-contented day
33 Full many a glorious morning have I seen
34 Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day
35 No more be grieved at that which thou hast done
36 Let me confess that we two must be twain
37 As a decrepit father takes delight
38 How can my Muse want subject to invent
39 O how thy worth with manners may I sing
40 Take all my loves, my love; yea, take them all
41 Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits
42 That thou hast her it is not all my grief
43 When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see
44 If the dull substance of my flesh were thought
45 The other two, slight air, and purging fire
46 Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war
47 Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took
48 How careful was I, when I took my way
49 Against that time, if ever that time come
50 How heavy do I journey on the way
51 Thus can my love excuse the slow offence
52 So am I as the rich, whose blessed key
53 What is your substance, whereof are you made
54 O how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
55 Not marble, nor the gilded monuments
56 Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said
57 Being your slave, what should I do but tend
58 That god forbid, that made me first your slave
59 If there be nothing new, but that which is
60 Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore
61 Is it thy will thy image should keep open
62 Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye
63 Against my love shall be as I am now
64 When I have seen by time's fell hand defaced
65 Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea
66 Tired with all these for restful death I cry
67 Ah, wherefore with infection should he live
68 Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn
69 Those parts of thee that the world's eye doth view
70 That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect
71 No longer mourn for me when I am dead
72 O, lest the world should task you to recite
73 That time of year thou mayst in me behold
74 But be contented when that fell arrest
75 So are you to my thoughts as food to life
76 Why is my verse so barren of new pride
77 Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear
78 So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse
79 Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid
80 O how I faint when I of you do write
81 Or I shall live, your epitaph to make
82 I grant thou wert not married to my Muse
83 I never saw that you did painting need
84 Who is it that says most? Which can say more
85 My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still
86 Was it the proud full sail of his great verse
87 Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing
88 When thou shalt be disposed to set me light
89 Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault
90 Then hate me when thou wilt, if ever, now
91 Some glory in their birth, some in their skill
92 But do thy worst to steal thyself away
93 So shall I live, supposing thou art true
94 They that have power to hurt, and will do none
95 How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame
96 Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness
97 How like a winter hath my absence been
98 From you have I been absent in the spring
99 The forward violet thus did I chide
100 Where art thou, Muse, that thou forget'st so long
101 O truant Muse, what shall be thy amends
102 My love is strengthened, though more weak in seeming
103 Alack, what poverty my Muse brings forth
104 To me, fair friend, you never can be old
105 Let not my love be called idolatry
106 When in the chronicle of wasted time
107 Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul
108 What's in the brain that ink may character
109 O never say that I was false of heart
110 Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there
111 O, for my sake do you with Fortune chide
112 Your love and pity doth th'impression fill
113 Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind
114 Or whether doth my mind, being crowned with you
115 Those lines that I before have writ do lie
116 Let me not to the marriage of true minds
117 Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all
118 Like as, to make our appetites more keen
119 What potions have I drunk of siren tears
120 That you were once unkind befriends me now
121 'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed
122 Thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain
123 No! Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change
124 If my dear love were but the child of state
125 Were't ought to me I bore the canopy
126 O thou my lovely Boy, who in thy power
127 In the old age black was not counted fair
128 How oft when thou, my music, music play'st
129 Th'expense of spirit in a waste of shame
130 My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun
131 Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art
132 Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me
133 Beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan
134 So now I have confessed that he is thine
135 Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy Will
136 If thy soul check thee that I come so near
137 Thou blind fool love, what dost thou to mine eyes
138 When my love swears that she is made of truth
139 O call not me to justify the wrong
140 Be wise as thou art cruel, do not press
141 In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes
142 Love is my sin, and thy dear virtue hate
143 Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch
144 Two loves I have, of comfort and despair
145 Those lips that love's own hand did make
146 Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth
147 My love is as a fever, longing still
148 O me! What eyes hath love put in my head
149 Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not
150 O from what power hast thou this powerful might
151 Love is too young to know what conscience is
152 In loving thee thou knowst I am forsworn
153 Cupid laid by his brand, and fell asleep
154 The little love-god lying once asleep
By first line
A woman's face with nature's own hand painted (#20)
Accuse me thus: that I have scanted all (#117)
Against that time, if ever that time come (#49)
Against my love shall be as I am now (#63)
Ah, wherefore with infection should he live (#67)
Alack, what poverty my Muse brings forth (#103)
Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there (#110)
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow'st (#11)
As an unperfect actor on the stage (#23)
As a decrepit father takes delight (#37)
Be wise as thou art cruel, do not press (#140)
Being your slave, what should I do but tend (#57)
Beshrew that heart that makes my heart to groan (#133)
Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took (#47)
But wherefore do not you a mightier way (#16)
But be contented when that fell arrest (#74)
But do thy worst to steal thyself away (#92)
Canst thou, O cruel, say I love thee not (#149)
Cupid laid by his brand, and fell asleep (#153)
Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws (#19)
Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing (#87)
For shame deny that thou bear'st love to any (#10)
From fairest creatures we desire increase (#1)
From you have I been absent in the spring (#98)
Full many a glorious morning have I seen (#33)
How can I then return in happy plight (#28)
How can my Muse want subject to invent (#38)
How careful was I, when I took my way (#48)
How heavy do I journey on the way (#50)
How sweet and lovely dost thou make the shame (#95)
How like a winter hath my absence been (#97)
How oft when thou, my music, music play'st (#128)
I grant thou wert not married to my Muse (#82)
I never saw that you did painting need (#83)
If thou survive my well-contented day (#32)
If the dull substance of my flesh were thought (#44)
If there be nothing new, but that which is (#59)
If my dear love were but the child of state (#124)
If thy soul check thee that I come so near (#136)
In the old age black was not counted fair (#127)
In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes (#141)
In loving thee thou knowst I am forsworn (#152)
Is it for fear to wet a widow's eye (#9)
Is it thy will thy image should keep open (#61)
Let those who are in favour with their stars (#25)
Let me confess that we two must be twain (#36)
Let not my love be called idolatry (#105)
Let me not to the marriage of true minds (#116)
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore (#60)
Like as, to make our appetites more keen (#118)
Lo, in the Orient when the gracious light (#7)
Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch (#143)
Look in thy glass, and tell the face thou viewest (#3)
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage (#26)
Love is my sin, and thy dear virtue hate (#142)
Love is too young to know what conscience is (#151)
Mine eye hath played the painter, and hath steeled (#24)
Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war (#46)
Music to hear, why hear'st thou music sadly? (#8)
My glass shall not persuade me I am old (#22)
My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still (#85)
My love is strengthened, though more weak in seeming (#102)
My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun (#130)
My love is as a fever, longing still (#147)
No more be grieved at that which thou hast done (#35)
No longer mourn for me when I am dead (#71)
No! Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change (#123)
Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck (#14)
Not marble, nor the gilded monuments (#55)
Not mine own fears, nor the prophetic soul (#107)
O that you were yourself! But, love, you are (#13)
O how thy worth with manners may I sing (#39)
O how much more doth beauty beauteous seem (#54)
O how I faint when I of you do write (#80)
O truant Muse, what shall be thy amends (#101)
O never say that I was false of heart (#109)
O thou my lovely Boy, who in thy power (#126)
O call not me to justify the wrong (#139)
O me! What eyes hath love put in my head (#148)
O from what power hast thou this powerful might (#150)
O, lest the world should task you to recite (#72)
O, for my sake do you with Fortune chide (#111)
Or I shall live, your epitaph to make (#81)
Or whether doth my mind, being crowned with you (#114)
Poor soul, the centre of my sinful earth (#146)
Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault (#89)
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? (#18)
Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye (#62)
Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea (#65)
Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind (#113)
So is it not with me as with that Muse (#21)
So am I as the rich, whose blessed key (#52)
So are you to my thoughts as food to life (#75)
So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse (#78)
So shall I live, supposing thou art true (#93)
So now I have confessed that he is thine (#134)
Some glory in their birth, some in their skill (#91)
Some say thy fault is youth, some wantonness (#96)
Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said (#56)
Take all my loves, my love; yea, take them all (#40)
Th'expense of spirit in a waste of shame (#129)
That thou hast her it is not all my grief (#42)
That god forbid, that made me first your slave (#58)
That thou art blamed shall not be thy defect (#70)
That time of year thou mayst in me behold (#73)
That you were once unkind befriends me now (#120)
The other two, slight air, and purging fire (#45)
The forward violet thus did I chide (#99)
The little love-god lying once asleep (#154)
Then let not winter's ragged hand deface (#6)
Then hate me when thou wilt, if ever, now (#90)
They that have power to hurt, and will do none (#94)
Thine eyes I love, and they, as pitying me (#132)
Those hours that with gentle work did frame (#5)
Those pretty wrongs that liberty commits (#41)
Those parts of thee that the world's eye doth view (#69)
Those lines that I before have writ do lie (#115)
Those lips that love's own hand did make (#145)
Thou art as tyrannous, so as thou art (#131)
Thou blind fool love, what dost thou to mine eyes (#137)
Thus can my love excuse the slow offence (#51)
Thus is his cheek the map of days outworn (#68)
Thy bosom is endeared with all hearts (#31)
Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear (#77)
Thy gift, thy tables, are within my brain (#122)
Tired with all these for restful death I cry (#66)
'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed (#121)
To me, fair friend, you never can be old (#104)
Two loves I have, of comfort and despair (#144)
Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend (#4)
Was it the proud full sail of his great verse (#86)
Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed (#27)
Were't ought to me I bore the canopy (#125)
What is your substance, whereof are you made (#53)
What potions have I drunk of siren tears (#119)
What's in the brain that ink may character (#108)
When forty winters shall besiege thy brow (#2)
When I do count the clock that tells the time (#12)
When I consider everything that grows (#15)
When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes (#29)
When to the sessions of sweet silent thought (#30)
When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see (#43)
When I have seen by time's fell hand defaced (#64)
When thou shalt be disposed to set me light (#88)
When in the chronicle of wasted time (#106)
When my love swears that she is made of truth (#138)
Where art thou, Muse, that thou forget'st so long (#100)
Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid (#79)
Who will believe my verse in time to come (#17)
Who is it that says most? Which can say more (#84)
Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy Will (#135)
Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day (#34)
Why is my verse so barren of new pride (#76)
Your love and pity doth th'impression fill (#112)
A Lover's Complaint
Appendix: Manuscript texts
Abbreviations and references
Abbreviations used in the notes
Works by and partly by Shakespeare
Editions of Shakespeare collated
Other works cited
A
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Index
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D
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H
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K
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Q
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Y
First line index
