Sonnet 10

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< Sonnet 10 >

For shame deny that thou bear'st love to any,
Who for thy self art so unprovident.
Grant, if thou wilt, thou art beloved of many,
But that thou none lov'st is most evident:
For thou art so possessed with murderous hate,
That 'gainst thy self thou stick'st not to conspire,
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate
Which to repair should be thy chief desire.
O! change thy thought, that I may change my mind:
Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?
Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind,
Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove:
Make thee another self for love of me,
That beauty still may live in thine or thee.
–William Shakespeare

Sonnet 10 is another of Shakespeare's procreation sonnets. Shakespeare uses a rather harsh tone to admonish the young man for his refusal to fall in love and have children.

[edit] Synopsis

The procreation theme is repeated, though for the first time a personal relationship between the poet and the youth is stated, even to the extent that the youth is asked to have a child to please the poet. The poem stresses the charm of the youth, who is much loved. The middle lines toy with imagery of political rebellion, mentioning conspiracies and destruction of houses.

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