The copy-text is Shake-speares Sonnets Never Before Imprinted (London, 1609). I’ve regularized the use of i and j, u and v, but have otherwise preserved the spelling, capitalization, and punctuation of the original. The notes are my own.
| From fairest creatures we desire increase,° | reproduction |
| That thereby beauties Rose might never die, | |
| But as the riper should by time decease, | |
| His tender heire might beare his memory: | |
| But thou contracted° to thine owne bright eyes, | agreed by contract |
| Feed’st thy lights flame with selfe substantiall fewell, | |
| Making a famine where aboundance lies, | |
| Thy selfe thy foe, to thy sweet selfe too cruell: | |
| Thou that art now the worlds fresh ornament, | |
| And only herauld to the gaudy spring, | colorful |
| Within thine owne bud buriest thy content, | |
| And tender chorle° makst wast in niggarding:° | rogue, rascal — being miserly |
| Pitty the world, or else this glutton be, | |
| To eate the worlds due, by the grave and thee. |