SONNET 11

As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou growest
In one of thine, from that which thou departest;
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow'st
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest.
Herein lives wisdom, beauty and increase:
Without this, folly, age and cold decay:
If all were minded so, the times should cease
And threescore year would make the world away.
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store,
Harsh featureless and rude, barrenly perish:
Look, whom she best endow'd she gave the more;
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish:
   She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby
   Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die.

Notes

wane (1): decline; age.

one of thine (2): a child.

youngly (3): in your youth.

convertest (4): change.

Herein (5): In marriage and children.

threescore year (8): sixty years.

would make the world away (9): would be the end of the world (due to lack of population).

for store (9): for breeding.

barrenly (10): without children.

How to cite this article:

Shakespeare, William. Sonnet 11. Ed. Amanda Mabillard. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/11.html >.

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