SONNET 119

What potions have I drunk of Siren tears,
Distill'd from limbecks foul as hell within,
Applying fears to hopes and hopes to fears,
Still losing when I saw myself to win!
What wretched errors hath my heart committed,
Whilst it hath thought itself so blessed never!
How have mine eyes out of their spheres been fitted
In the distraction of this madding fever!
O benefit of ill! now I find true
That better is by evil still made better;
And ruin'd love, when it is built anew,
Grows fairer than at first, more strong, far greater.
   So I return rebuked to my content
   And gain by ill thrice more than I have spent.

_________

Related Articles

 Introduction to Shakespeare's Sonnets
 How to Analyze a Shakespearean Sonnet
 Shakespearean Sonnet Basics
 Outline of the Themes in Shakespeare's Sonnets
 Shakespeare's Sonnets: Q & A
 Are Shakespeare's Sonnets Autobiographical?
 Shakespeare's Greatest Love Poem

 The Order of the Sonnets
 The Date of the Sonnets
 Who was Mr. W. H.?
 Are all the Sonnets addressed to two Persons?
 Who was The Rival Poet?

 Shakespeare Glossary
 Shakespeare Quotations (by Play and Theme)

 Why Shakespeare is so Important
 Shakespeare's Language
 Shakespeare's Boss
 Shakespeare's Impact on Other Writers
 Why Study Shakespeare?