If the dull substance of my flesh were thought 

Injurious distance should not stop my way 


For then despite of space, I would be brought 

From limits far remote where thou dost stay 


Not so far, mine eye and heart are at a mortal war 

How to divide the conquest of your irresistible sight 

When you are here with your poetry. 


But ah! Thought kills me that I'm not thought 

To leap large lengths of miles when you are gone 


These are our sacrifices, roses have thorns and silver fountains mud 


But that, so much of earth and water wrought 

I must attend time's leisure with my moan 


Let me confess that we two... we must be twain! 


Rise with your stateliness, dream of us with open eye 

Like waves make towards the shore 

Our minutes hasten to their end 


Not so far, mine eye and heart are at a mortal war 

How to divide the conquest of your irresistible sight 

When you are here in your person. 


But ah! Thought kills me that I'm not thought 

To leap large lengths of miles when you are gone 


These are our sacrifices, roses have thorns and silver fountains mud 


But that, so much of earth and water wrought 

I must attend time's leisure with my moan 


These are our sacrifices... 


Mine are heavy tears, mine is the grief of having you 


So shall I compare you to a summer's day? No, 

You are more lovely and more temperate 


Within the distance my mind dives in yours 

Who will believe my verse in time to come 


If it were filled with your most high deserts, and with my love? 


So long as eyes can see 

So long live these lines, these give life to thee