Sonnet #26

XXVI.br /br /Lord of my love, to whom in vassalagebr /Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,br /To thee I send this written embassage,br /To witness duty, not to show my wit:br /Duty so great, which wit so poor as minebr /May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,br /But that I hope some good conceit of thinebr /In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it;br /Till whatsoever star that guides my movingbr /Points on me graciously with fair aspectbr /And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,br /To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:br /Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;br /Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me.br /

More...