Sonnet 39: O How Thy Worth With Manners May I Sing

O how thy worth with manners may I sing,
When thou art all the better part of me?
What can mine own praise to mine own self bring,
And what is't but mine own when I praise thee?
Even for this, let us divided live
And our dear love lose name of single one,
That by this separation I may give
That due to thee which thou deservst alone.
O absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove
Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave
To entertain the time with thoughts of love,
Which time and thoughts so sweetly dost deceive,
       And that thou teachest how to make one twain
       By praising him here who doth hence remain.

​<

​>

---

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. ​​

---

---