Sonnet
by Robert Sidney (1563-1626)

Who gives himself may ill his words deny.
My words gave me to you, my words I gave
Still to be yours; you speech and speaker have:
Me to my words, my words to you I tie.Long ere I was, I was by destiny
Unto your love ordained, a free bound slave—
Destiny which me to my own choice drave
And to my ends made me my will apply.

For ere on earth in you true beauty came,
My first breath I had drawn, upon the day
Sacred to you, blessèd in your fair name,
And all the days and hours I since do spend
Are but the fatal, wishèd time to slay
To seal the bands of service without end.

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