The Sonnets
Sonnet 56
by William Shakespeare
Sweet love renew thy force, be it not said
Sweet love renew thy force, be it not said
Whilst I alone did call upon thy aid
Starlight reflects off the ocean.
Were’t aught to me I bore the canopy
O call not me to justify the wrong
To me fair friend you never can be old
The rose did caper on her cheek
The last night that she lived
So is it not with me as with that muse
Since I left you, mine eye is in my mind
Let not my love be called idolatry
But do thy worst to steal thy self away
But be contented when that fell arrest
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Be wise as thou art cruel, do not press
Death sets a thing significant
To know just how he suffered would be dear
Or whether doth my mind being crowned with you
Against my love shall be as I am now
Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault
Thine eyes I love, and they as pitying me
He preached upon "breadth" till it argued him narrow, —
Is it thy will, thy image should keep open
My glass shall not persuade me I am old
Let me confess that we two must be twain