Sonnet 11. You’re not alone when You are still alone

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 12), and in all later editions.]

YOU’RE not alone when You are still alone,

O God! from You that I could private be!

Since You one were, I never since was one;

Since You in Me, my self since out of Me.

Transported from my Self into your Being,

Though either distant, present yet to either:

Senselessly with too much joy, each other seeing;

And only absent, when We are together.

Give me my self! and take your self again!

Devise some means but how I may forsake You!

So much is mine that doth with You remain,

That taking what is mine, with me I take You!

You do bewitch Me! O that I could fly

From my self You, or from your own self I!