Lexi Elven writes: "Placing Shakespeare's sonnet XXVI in a modern context. This particular sonnet is still controversial to this day as some people believe it was written to his young gay lover. I placed the poetry on the model's body, as modern day gay lovers may do today to show their love for one another."
Sonnet 26.
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit;
To thee I send this written embassage
To witness duty, not to show my wit.
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it;
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul's thought (all naked) will bestow it:
Til whatsoever star that guides my moving,
Points on me graciously with faire aspect,
And puts apparel on my tottered loving,
To show me worthy of their sweet respect,
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee,
Til then, not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
—William Shakespear
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Editor's Note: The text I've used in this post is a more modern interpretation of the version of the text found in "Shakespeares, Sonnets Being A Reproduction In Facsimile Of The First Edition 1609".
Related Link: William Shakespeare's Works at Amazon
Related Post: A Few Poems for National Poetry Month
