Sonnet 10

The sonnet transforms a meditation on appearance into a reflection on ethics, mortality, and the responsibility that accompanies remarkable gifts.

For shame deny that thou bear’st love to any,

Who for thy self art so unprovident.

Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,

But that thou none lov’st is most evident;

For thou art so possessed with murderous hate

That ’gainst thy self thou stick’st not to conspire,

Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate

Which to repair should be thy chief desire.

O! change thy thought, that I may change my mind;

Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?

Be as thy presence is, gracious and kind,

Or to thy self at least kind-hearted prove:

Make thee another self for love of me,

That beauty still may live in thine or thee.