Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 26
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For other versions of this work, see Sonnet 26 (Shakespeare).
26
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,
To thee I send this written ambassage,
To witness duty, not to show my wit: 4
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it; 8
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving
Points on me graciously with fair aspect,
And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect: 12
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
Till then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
1–14 Cf. n.
3 ambassage: message
10 Points: shines