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SONNET LXXXVII
Farewell! thou art too
dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou
know'st thy estimate:
The charter of thy worth
gives thee releasing;
My bonds in thee are
all determinate.
For how do I hold thee
but by thy granting?
And for that riches where
is my deserving?
The cause of this fair
gift in me is wanting,
And so my patent back
again is swerving.
Thyself thou gav'st,
thy own worth then now knowing,
Or me, to whom thou gav'st
it, else mistaking;
So thy great gift, upon
misprison growing,
Comes home again, on
better judgment making.
Thus have I had thee, as a dream doth flatter,
In sleep a king, but waking, no such matter.