Shakespeare's Sonnet 125

19/10/2025 20 min

Listen "Shakespeare's Sonnet 125"

Episode Synopsis

Shakespeare's penultimate sonnet to the fair youth! Sonnet 125Were't aught to me I bore the canopy,With my extern the outward honouring,Or laid great bases for eternity,Which proves more short than waste or ruining?Have I not seen dwellers on form and favourLose all and more by paying too much rentFor compound sweet, forgoing simple savour,Pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent?No; let me be obsequious in thy heart,And take thou my oblation, poor but free,Which is not mixed with seconds, knows no art,But mutual render, only me for thee.   Hence, thou suborned informer! a true soul   When most impeached stands least in thy control.