SONNET 102

My love is strengthen'd, though more weak in seeming;
I love not less, though less the show appear:
That love is merchandized whose rich esteeming
The owner's tongue doth publish every where.
Our love was new and then but in the spring
When I was wont to greet it with my lays,
As Philomel in summer's front doth sing
And stops her pipe in growth of riper days:
Not that the summer is less pleasant now
Than when her mournful hymns did hush the night,
But that wild music burthens every bough
And sweets grown common lose their dear delight.
   Therefore like her I sometime hold my tongue,
   Because I would not dull you with my song.

_________

Related Articles

 Introduction to Shakespeare's Sonnets
 How to Analyze a Shakespearean Sonnet
 Shakespearean Sonnet Basics
 Outline of the Themes in Shakespeare's Sonnets
 Shakespeare's Sonnets: Q & A
 Are Shakespeare's Sonnets Autobiographical?
 Shakespeare's Greatest Love Poem

 The Order of the Sonnets
 The Date of the Sonnets
 Who was Mr. W. H.?
 Are all the Sonnets addressed to two Persons?
 Who was The Rival Poet?

 Shakespeare Glossary
 Shakespeare Quotations (by Play and Theme)

 Why Shakespeare is so Important
 Shakespeare's Language
 Shakespeare's Boss
 Shakespeare's Impact on Other Writers
 Why Study Shakespeare?