Lo! in the orient when the gracious light
Lifts up his burning head, each under eye
Doth homage to his new-appearing sight,
Serving with looks his sacred majesty;
And having climb’d the steep-up heavenly hill,
Resembling strong youth in his middle age,
yet mortal looks adore his beauty still,
Attending on his golden pilgrimage;
But when from highmost pitch, with weary car,
Like feeble age, he reeleth from the day,
The eyes, ‘fore duteous, now converted are
From his low tract and look another way:
So thou, thyself out-going in thy noon,
Unlook’d on diest, unless thou get a son.
If you have found this content useful why not read some fascinating facts about the William Shakespeare sonnets? Or, for a list of all 154 Shakespearean sonnets, with links to the full text for each, please click here. Or return to the William Shakespeare facts home page and explore some of the other material we have compiled for your interest, entertainment or education.