William Shakespeare. 1564–1616

Sonnet XXXVII.

“As a decrepit father takes delight”


AS a decrepit father takes delight  
To see his active child do deeds of youth,  
So I, made lame by Fortune’s dearest spite,  
Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth;  
For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit,    5
Or any of these all, or all, or more,  
Entitled in thy parts do crowned sit,  
I make my love engrafted to this store:  
So then I am not lame, poor, nor despis’d,  
Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give   10
That I in thy abundance am suffic’d,  
And by a part of all thy glory live.  
  Look what is best, that best I wish in thee:  
  This wish I have; then ten times happy me!