Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/236

 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

171 (xvii)

, NEVER say that I was false of heart,

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��Though absence seem'd my flame to qualify! As easy might I from myself depart, As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie: That is my home of love, if I have ranged, Like him that travels I return again, Just to the time, not with the time exchanged, So that myself bring water for my stain. Never believe, though in my nature reign'd All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood, That it could so prcpost'rously be stain'd, To leave for nothing all thy sum of good: For nothing this wide Universe I call, Save thou, my Rose, in it thou art my all.

(xviii)

ET me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O, no' it is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken ; It is the star to every wand'rmg bark, Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken. Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle's compass come, Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom:

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved. 204.

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