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Sonnet XI (11)
As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou growest
In one of thine, from that which thou departest;
And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestowest
Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest.
Herein lives wisdom, beauty and increase:
Without this, folly, age and cold decay:
If all were minded so, the times should cease
And threescore year would make the world away.
Let those whom Nature hath not made for store,
Harsh featureless and rude, barrenly perish:
Look, whom she best endow’d she gave the more;
Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish:
She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby
Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die.
—William Shakespeare
Get the Annotated Romeo & Juliet!
Humorously and thoughtfully annotated by teacher Callie Feyen, author of The Teacher Diaries: Romeo & Juliet, this version of Shakespeare’s play also includes introductory essays by four smart and witty women—professors, editors, authors.
