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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students

Sonnet 101: O truant Muse what shall be thy amends

William Shakespeare·1564–1616
Lines:14Movement:English Renaissance
O truant Muse what shall be thy amendsFor thy neglect of truth in beauty dy'd?Both truth and beauty on my love depends;So dost thou too, and therein dignified.Make answer Muse: wilt thou not haply say,'Truth needs no colour, with his colour fix'd;Beauty no pencil, beauty's truth to lay;But best is best, if never intermix'd'?Because he needs no praise, wilt thou be dumb?Excuse not silence so, for't lies in theeTo make him much outlive a gilded tombAnd to be prais'd of ages yet to be. Then do thy office, Muse; I teach thee how To make him seem long hence as he shows now.