Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 75
75
So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground;
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As 'twixt a miser and his wealth is found; 4
Now proud as an enjoyer, and anon
Doubting the filching age will steal his treasure;
Now counting best to be with you alone,
Then better'd that the world may see my pleasure: 8
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight,
And by and by clean starved for a look;
Possessing or pursuing no delight,
Save what is had or must from you be took. 12
Thus do I pine and surfeit day by day,
Or gluttoning on all, or all away.
2 sweet-season'd: mild
3 peace of you: peaceful possession of you
6 Doubting: fearing
8 better'd that: made happier, more fortunate, because
12 had: had from you
14 Or: either
or all away: or putting all aside, refusing all