Sonnet 34: Why Didst Thou Promise Such a Beauteous Day

Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day
And make me travel forth without my cloak,
To let base clouds o'ertake me in my way,
Hiding thy bravery in their rotten smoke?
'Tis not enough that through the cloud thou break
To dry the rain on my storm-beaten face,
For no man well of such a salve can speak,
That heals the wound and cures not the disgrace;
Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief:
Though thou repent, yet I have still the loss,
Th'offender's sorrow lends but weak relief
To him that bears the strong offence's cross.
       Ah, but those tears are pearl that thy love sheds
       And they are rich and ransom all ill deeds.

​<

​>

---

This project and its website are a work in progress. Notes and links to podcast episodes will follow as they materialise. If you spot a mistake or have any comments or suggestions, please use the contact page to get in touch. ​​

---

---