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 ↩

Note the sun’s passage:
how he sets silent trek to
mark his mark — you’re etched. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623.

1. Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear,— Sonnet LXXVII – William Shakespeare ↩

Ever with seven
and ten do I frame my love’s
frame — never same. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623.

1. Why is my verse so barren of new pride,— Sonnet LXXVI – William Shakespeare ↩

I can’t choose thee by
halves — I’ll have all or nothing,
feasting or famine. ¹

© rl busséll 2019 – All rights reserved

Image: Copper engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout 1623.

1. So are you to my thoughts as food to life, — Sonnet LXXV – William Shakespeare ↩