William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet LXVII
Ah! wherefore
with infection should he live,
And with his presence
grace impiety,
That sin by him advantage
should achieve,
And lace itself with
his society?
Why should false painting
imitate his cheek,
And steel dead seeming
of his living hue?
Why should poor beauty
indirectly seek
Roses of shadow, since
his rose is true?
Why should he live,
now Nature bankrupt is,
Beggar'd of blood
to blush through lively veins?
For she hath no exchequer
now but his,
And proud of many,
lives upon his gains.
O! him she stores, to show what wealth she had
In days long since, before these last so bad.
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