Having Difficulty Reading Shakespeare's Sonnet 91
Because I Am Thinking of Her
Thy love is better than high birth to me,
a love that overshines all human skill;
I love you more than misers love their wealth,
and more than barons love their finery.
some I have known
in one general best I have been
all men's pride blown
not my measure, not my own
But these particulars are not my measure;
my love is not so frail as lesser things,
my song is not as lesser men have sung,
my vault is built to house a finer treasure.
some make hawk and horse their wealth
others it in skill will find,
but I, with stealthier design
joy above the rest
that to me and to my mind
is richer than the best
And having thee, of all men's pride I boast,
for I have humbled pride that you might shine
and pride was never match for truest love
in which alone can pride find best and most.
take all this away
wherein I mine
wealth for but a day
I'll still have you as mine
indeed thou mayst boast
in glory prouder than most
and wretched are those without
that glory that is mine
As pride before my love its crown must hide,
in love alone I will then find my pride.
