15 Jul 2010

Sonnet 54

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The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
for that sweet odour which doth in it live.

The canker-blooms have full as deep a dye
as the perfumed tincture of the roses,
hang on such thorns and play as wantonlyImage and video hosting by TinyPic
when summer's breath their masked buds discloses:Image and video hosting by TinyPic
But, for their virtue only is their show,
they live unwoo'd and unrespected fade,
die to themselves.Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Sweet roses do not so;
of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made:
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and so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,
when that shall fade, my verse distills your truth.

- William Shakespeare