Shakespeare's Sonnets: My love is strength'ned, though more weak in seeming

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My love is strength'ned, though more weak in seeming;I love not less, though less the show appear.That love is merchandis'd, whose rich esteemingThe owner's tongue doth publish every where.Our love was new and then but in the springWhen I was wont to greet it with my lays,As Philomel in summer's front doth singAnd stops his pipe in growth of riper days.Not that the summer is less pleasant nowThan when her mournful hymns did hush the night,But that wild music burthens every boughAnd sweets grown common lose their dear delight. Therefore like her I some-time hold my tongue Because I would not dull you with my song.

© William Shakespeare