William Shakespeare(1564–1616)

Sonnet 87

Farewell, thou art too dear1 for my possessing,

And like enough thou know'st thy estimate.value

The charter 0 of thy worth gives thee releasing;privilege; deed

My bonds in thee are all determinate.expired

For how do I hold thee but by thy granting,

And for that riches where is my deserving

The cause of this fair gift in me is wanting,

And so my patent 0 back again is swerving.title

Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing,

Or me, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking;

So thy great gift, upon misprision 0 growing,error, oversight

Comes home again, on better judgement making.2

Thus have I had thee as a dream doth flatter:3

In sleep a king, but waking no such matter.