Shakespeare's Sonnets Navigator | Summary of Sonnet 121 in the Table of Contents | Notes for Sonnet 121 |
1 'Tis better to be vile than vile esteemed, 2 When not to be receives reproach of being, 3 And the just pleasure lost, which is so deemed 4 Not by our feeling, but by others' seeing: 5 For why should others' false adulterate eyes 6 Give salutation to my sportive blood? 7 Or on my frailties why are frailer spies, 8 Which in their wills count bad what I think good? 9 No, I am that I am, and they that level 10 At my abuses reckon up their own; 11 I may be straight, though they themselves be bevel; 12 By their rank thoughts my deeds must not be shown, 13 Unless this general evil they maintain: 14 All men are bad, and in their badness reign. |
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