SONNET 5
Each man me telleth I change most my device, And on my faith, me think it good reason To change propose like after the season, For in every case, to keep stillone guise Is meet for them that would be taken wise; And I am not of such mannercondition, But treated after a diverse fashion, And thereupon my diverseness doth rise. But you that blame this diverseness most, Change you no more, but stillafter one rate, Treat ye me well, and keep ye in the same state. And while with me doth dwell this wearied ghost, My word nor I shall not be variable,But always one, your own, both firm and stable. Eche man me telleth I chaunge moost my devise : And on my faith, me thinck it goode reason, To chaunge propose like after the season : Ffor in every case, to kepe still oon gyse Ys mytt for theim that would be taken wyse ; And I am not of such maner condition : But treted after a dyvers fasshion : And thereupon my dyvernes doeth rise. But you that blame this dyvernes moost, Chaunge you no more, but still after oon rate, Trete ye me well, and kepe yein the same state And while with me doeth dwell this weried goost, My word nor I shall not be variable, But alwaies oon your owne both ferme and stable.
NOTES
device = will, desire, fancy. (Oed 3).on my faith - a mild oath.propose = proposals, plans.meet = fitting.taken wise = considered to be wise.of such manner condition = of such a character.still after one rate = always in the same manner.this wearied ghost = my life, myspirit.
