Sonnet 28. To such as say, thy Love I overprize. Michael Drayton (1563-1631). Idea. Seccombe and Arber, comps. 1904. Elizabethan Sonnets

Seccombe and Arber, comps. Elizabethan Sonnets. 1904.

Idea

Sonnet 28. To such as say, thy Love I overprize

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1602 (No. 31), and in all later editions.]

TO such as say, thy Love I overprize,
And do not stick to term my praises, folly;
Against these folks, that think themselves so wise,
I thus oppose my reason’s forces wholly.
Though I give more than well affords my state,	5
In which expense, the most suppose me vain
(Which yields them nothing, at the easiest rate),
Yet, at this price, returns me treble gain.
They value not, unskilful how to use;
And I give much, because I gain thereby:	10
I that thus take, or they that thus refuse;
Whether are these deceivèd then, or I?
In everything, I hold this maxim still,
The circumstance doth make it good or ill.