Sonnet 47. In pride of Wit, when high desire of fame

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1605 (No. 47), and in all later editions.]

IN pride of Wit, when high desire of fame

Gave life and courage to my lab’ring pen,

And first the sound and virtue of my name

Won grace and credit in the ears of men;

With those, the thronged Theatres that press,

I in the Circuit for the laurel strove!

Where the full praise, I freely must confess,

In heat of blood, a modest mind might move.

With shouts and claps at every little pause,

When the proud Round on every side hath rung;

Sadly I sit, unmoved with the applause,

As though to me it nothing did belong.

No public glory vainly I pursue:

All that I seek is to eternize you!