Shakespeare's Sonnets: Ah, wherefore with infection should he live

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Ah, wherefore with infection should he liveAnd with his presence grace impietyThat sin by him advantage should achieveAnd lace it self with his society?Why should false painting imitate his cheekAnd steal dead seeing of his living hue?Why should poor beauty indirectly seekRoses of shadow since his rose is true?Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is,Begger'd of blood to blush through lively veins,For she hath no exchequer now but his,And proud of many, lives upon his gains? O him she stores, to show what wealth she had, In days long since, before these last so bad.

© William Shakespeare