Sonnet 115: Those lines that I before have writ do lie

Portrait of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare 1564–1616
115The Sonnets

Those lines that I before have writ do lie, Even those that said I could not love you dearer; Yet then my judgment knew no reason why My most full flame should afterwards burn clearer, But reckoning Time, whose millioned accidents Creep in 'twixt vows, and change decrees of kings, Tan sacred beauty, blunt the sharp'st intents, Divert strong minds to the course of alt'ring things- Alas, why, fearing of Time's tyranny, Might I not then say, "Now I love you best," When I was certain o'er incertainty, Crowning the present, doubting of the rest? Love is a babe; then might I not say so, To give full growth to that which still doth grow.

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