Sonnets

Sonnet 87

Farewell! art too dear for my possessing,
And like enough know’st estimate,
The charter of worth gives releasing:
My bonds in are all determinate.
For how do I hold but by granting,
And for that riches where is my deserving?
The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting,
And so my patent back again is swerving.
Thyself gav’st, own worth then not knowing,
Or me to whom gav’st it, else mistaking,
So great gift upon misprision growing,
Comes home again, on better judgement making.
Thus have I had as a dream flatter,
In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.

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See its words in the cloud.

Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.