1 O, how I faint when I of you do write ,
2 Knowing a better spirit doth use your name,
3 And in the praise thereof spends all his might,
4 To make me tongue-tied, speaking of your fame!
5 But since your worth, wide as the ocean is,
6 The humble as the proudest sail doth bear,
7 My saucy bark inferior far to his
8 On your broad main doth wilfully appear.
9 Your shallowest help will hold me up afloat,
10 Whilst he upon your soundless deep doth ride;
11 Or being wrack'd, I am a worthless boat,
12 He of tall building and of goodly pride:
13 Then if he thrive and I be cast away,
14 The worst was this; my love was my decay.
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