, HOW thy worth with manners may I sing
- When thou art all the better part of me?
- What can mine own praises to mine own self bring,
- And what is't but mine own when I praise thee?
- Even for this let us divided live
- And our dear love lose name of single one,
- That by this separation I may give
- That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone.
- O absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove
- Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
- To entertain the time with thoughts of love,
- Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive,
- And that thou teachest how to make one twain
- By praising him here who doth hence remain!
SONNET #39
by: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)