Do your worst to me
by leaving at set of sun —
Joy in life or death¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. But do thy worst to steal thyself away, — Sonnet XCII – William Shakespeare ↩

Oh tease me not by
leaving late, testing ill fate;
other loss seems less. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Then hate me when thou wilt; if ever, now; — Sonnet XC – William Shakespeare ↩

If thy reason’s true,
I will lift no shield against
ill arrows shot true. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault, — Sonnet LXXXIX – William Shakespeare ↩

Exposed to all scorn
I’ve made my fault your strong strength,
My defeat your gain. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. When thou shalt be disposed to set me light, — Sonnet LXXXVIII – William Shakespeare ↩

My pen’s penniless;
thy wealth it can ill afford.
Farewell fairest friend. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Farewell, thou art too dear for my possessing — Sonnet LXXXVII – William Shakespeare ↩︎

Did I grow dumb ‘cause
his splendid verse caught the earth?
No, t’was lines of you.¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved


Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Was it the proud full sail of his great verse — Sonnet LXXXVI – William Shakespeare ↩

Silence speaks sweeter
than quire filled by gilded quill;
my breathlessness breathes. ¹


© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still — Sonnet LXXXV – William Shakespeare ↩

Wit is writ if with
small word poet writes you true –
make not grace a curse. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Who is it that says most? which can say more — Sonnet LXXXIV – William Shakespeare ↩

Paint does mar fair pearl.
As would my tongueless words, you.
Make not silence sin. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. I never saw that you did painting need — Sonnet LXXXIII – William Shakespeare ↩

You’ve no promise made—
this I grant—yet better served
are you by my verse. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. I grant thou wert not married to my Muse — Sonnet LXXXII – William Shakespeare ↩

I’ll survive not by
my breathless breath, but ever
will world know thy fame. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Or I shall live your epitaph to make, — Sonnet LXXXI – William Shakespeare ↩

Insignificant is
my mean barque within the sea —
you’re my Muse – my best.¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved.

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Oh how I faint when I of you do write, — Sonnet LXXX – William Shakespeare ↩

Lend not thyself to
another poet’s pen, he’ll waste
thy virtue on vise. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved.

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid,— Sonnet LXXIX – William Shakespeare ↩

Thou my musings muse,
give to my artlessness art,
learn me thy learning. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623 with a facsimile of William Shakespeare’s signature.

1. So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse —Sonnet LXXVIII – William Shakespeare ↩