O never say that I was false of heart,
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 preposterously 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.
this sonnet (Sonnet 109) is an apology of sorts, but the poet in no way begs for forgiveness. Many scholars believe that Shakespeare's relationship with his dear friend (likely the Earl of Southampton) is more than platonic and few sonnets lend credibility to this argument more so than 109-120.
I from myself depart, ....... excellent expression, interesting to read
That is my home of love! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Shakespeare is, more than four hundred years after his passing, still at the top of sonnet writers in English. That said, however, this one compared with others of his more widely known, is rougher in flow, its syntax clunky. Which for us is a reminder and encouragement that no one writes/does masterpieces every time. We should strive for excellence and consistency, but we can’t control inspiration. -GK
save, save beauty save yourself save beautiful universe save to live beautifully in your heart save everything to sing a song of love
O Love come hither and live in this heart and sing a song of unity truly tune on this heart that I the right heart for your love
The poet reveals that his feelings toward his friend have cooled during his time away from London, likely during a tour with his acting company, the Chamberlain's Men (around 1594) .