O! HOW I faint when
I of you do write |
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Knowing a better spirit doth use your name, |
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And in the praise thereof spends all his
might, |
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To make me tongue-tied, speaking of your
fame! |
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But since your worthwide as the ocean
is, |
5 |
The humble as the proudest sail doth bear, |
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My saucy bark, inferior far to his, |
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On your broad main doth wilfully appear. |
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Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat, |
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Whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ride; |
10 |
Or, being wrackd, I am a worthless
boat, |
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He of tall building and of goodly pride: |
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Then if he thrive and I be cast
away, |
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The worst was this;my love
was my decay. |
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