Shakespeare's Sonnets

Table of Contents
Scenes
Sonnet Dedication Sonnet 1 Sonnet 2 Sonnet 3 Sonnet 4 Sonnet 5 Sonnet 6 Sonnet 7 Sonnet 8 Sonnet 9 Sonnet 10 Sonnet 11 Sonnet 12 Sonnet 13 Sonnet 14 Sonnet 15 Sonnet 16 Sonnet 17 Sonnet 18 Sonnet 19 Sonnet 20 Sonnet 21 Sonnet 22 Sonnet 23 Sonnet 24 Sonnet 25 Sonnet 26 Sonnet 27 Sonnet 28 Sonnet 29 Sonnet 30 Sonnet 31 Sonnet 32 Sonnet 33 Sonnet 34 Sonnet 35 Sonnet 36 Sonnet 37 Sonnet 38 Sonnet 39 Sonnet 40 Sonnet 41 Sonnet 42 Sonnet 43 Sonnet 44 Sonnet 45 Sonnet 46 Sonnet 47 Sonnet 48 Sonnet 49 Sonnet 50 Sonnet 51 Sonnet 52 Sonnet 53 Sonnet 54 Sonnet 55 Sonnet 56 Sonnet 57 Sonnet 58 Sonnet 59 Sonnet 60 Sonnet 61 Sonnet 62 Sonnet 63 Sonnet 64 Sonnet 65 Sonnet 66 Sonnet 67 Sonnet 68 Sonnet 69 Sonnet 70 Sonnet 71 Sonnet 72 Sonnet 73 Sonnet 74 Sonnet 75 Sonnet 76 Sonnet 77 Sonnet 78 Sonnet 79 Sonnet 80 Sonnet 81 Sonnet 82 Sonnet 83 Sonnet 84 Sonnet 85 Sonnet 86 Sonnet 87 Sonnet 88 Sonnet 89 Sonnet 90 Sonnet 91 Sonnet 92 Sonnet 93 Sonnet 94 Sonnet 95 Sonnet 96 Sonnet 97 Sonnet 98 Sonnet 99 Sonnet 100 Sonnet 101 Sonnet 102 Sonnet 103 Sonnet 104 Sonnet 105 Sonnet 106 Sonnet 107 Sonnet 108 Sonnet 109 Sonnet 110 Sonnet 111 Sonnet 112 Sonnet 113 Sonnet 114 Sonnet 115 Sonnet 116 Sonnet 117 Sonnet 118 Sonnet 119 Sonnet 120 Sonnet 121 Sonnet 122 Sonnet 123 Sonnet 124 Sonnet 125 Sonnet 126 Sonnet 127 Sonnet 128 Sonnet 129 Sonnet 130 Sonnet 131 Sonnet 132 Sonnet 133 Sonnet 134 Sonnet 135 Sonnet 136 Sonnet 137 Sonnet 138 Sonnet 139 Sonnet 140 Sonnet 141 Sonnet 142 Sonnet 143 Sonnet 144 Sonnet 145 Sonnet 146 Sonnet 147 Sonnet 148 Sonnet 149 Sonnet 150 Sonnet 151 Sonnet 152 Sonnet 153 Sonnet 154
Download PDF
Sign In

Shakespeare's Sonnets
Shakescleare Translation

Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 125

Line Map Clear Line Map Add

Were’t ought to me I bore the canopy, With my extern the outward honoring, Or laid great bases for eternity, Which prove more short than waste or ruining? 5 Have I not seen dwellers on form and favor Lose all and more by paying too much rent, For compound sweet forgoing simple savor, Pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent? No, let me be obsequious in thy heart, 10 And take thou my oblation, poor but free, Which is not mixed with seconds, knows no art, But mutual render, only me for thee. Hence, thou suborned informer! A true soul When most impeached stands least in thy control.

Would it mean anything to me if I held the canopy,
Honoring with an outward showing of dignity,
Or if I put down the foundations to ever-lasting monuments,
Which prove to be more short-lived than waste itself or ruin?
Have I not seen those who live for beauty and favor
Lose everything and more by spending too much
On lavish, sweet things instead of simple flavors,
Those pitiful spenders, who spend too much by looking?
No, let me be obedient in your heart,
And take my simple but free offering,
Which is unadulterated and undeceiving,
In return I can only offer what is mine for what is yours.
Go away, you false witnesses! A true soul,
Even when accused of terrible things, is least in your power.

The LitCharts.com logo.
Saving guides requires a free LitCharts account
Easily access your saved guides anytime.
Continue with GoogleContinue with Google

or

Already have an account? Sign in
Complete your free account to save guides
Select one
Please enter as MM/DD/YYYY
Already have an account? Sign in
About the Translator: Suzy Kim

Suzy Kim is a graduate student studying Victorian literature at Brown University. She studied English and Psychology at University of Pennsylvania, and some of her creative work can be found in the upcoming volume of The Graphic Canon: Tales of Crime and Mystery Vol. 1. She is from Seoul, and currently lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Home About Contact Help
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Terms Privacy Privacy Request