| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| William Shakespeare. 1564–1616 |
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161. Sonnets
xvii |
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| 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, | 5 |
| 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, | 10 |
| That it could so prepost'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. | |
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