The Sonnets

O! never say that I was false of heart,

Though absence seemʼd my flame to qualify,

As easy might I from my self depart

As from my soul which in thy breast doth lie:

That is my home of love: if I have rangʼd,

Like him that travels, I return again;

Just to the time, not with the time exchangʼd,

So that myself bring water for my stain.

Never believe though in my nature reignʼd,

All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood,

That it could so preposterously be stainʼd,

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.