Сонеты

So am I as the rich, whose blessed key
Can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure,
The which he will not every hour survey,
For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.

Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare,
Since, seldom coming, in the long year set,
Like stones of worth they thinly placed are,
Or captain jewels in the carcanet.

So is the time that keeps you as my chest,
Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide,
To make some special instant special blest,
By new unfolding his imprison’d pride.

Blessed are you, whose worthiness gives scope,
Being had, to triumph; being lack’d, to hope.

53. «What is your substance, whereof are you made…»

What is your substance, whereof are you made,
That millions of strange shadows on you tend?
Since every one hath, every one, one shade,
And you, but one, can every shadow lend.

Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit
Is poorly imitated after you;
On Helen’s cheek all art of beauty set,
And you in Grecian tires are painted new:

Speak of the spring and foison of the year;
The one doth shadow of your beauty show,
The other as your bounty doth appear;
And you in every blessed shape we know.

In all external grace you have some part,
But you like none, none you,
                    for constant heart.

56. «Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said…»

Sweet love, renew thy force; be it not said
Thy edge should blunter be than appetite,
Which but to-day by feeding is allay’d,
To-morrow sharpen’d in his former might:

So, love, be thou; although to-day thou fill
Thy hungry eyes even till they wink
                              with fullness,
Tomorrow see again, and do not kill
The spirit of love with a perpetual dullness.

Let this sad interim like the ocean be
Which parts the shore,
                    where two contracted new
Come daily to the banks, that, when they see
Return of love, more blest may be the view;

Else call it winter, which being full of care
Makes summer’s welcome thrice
                    more wish’d, more rare.

58. «That god forbid that made me first your slave…»