Shakespeare's Sonnets

But the relationship between the two does not run smoothly, for later a dark cloud descends upon their friendship and several sonnets suggest that Southampton has in some way betrayed Shakespeare.

It is not enough that through the Clouds thou break to drive the rain on my storm beaten face. For no man well of such a salve can speak that heals the wound and cures not the disgrace. Nor can thy shame give physic to my grief. Though thou repent yet I still have the loss. The offenders sorrow seeks but weak relief to him that bears the strong offenders cross.

That cloud is revealed to be the appearance of a woman who has besotted both Shakespeare and Southampton and is indeed become the lover of them both. Shakespeare is obviously deeply in love with this woman for in all he addresses 24 sonnets to her and his words are laden with passionate intensity.

My love is a fever longing still for that which no longer nurseth the disease. My reason, the physician to my love, angry that his prescriptions are not kept. Past cure am I now reason is past care and frantic with mad with ever more unrest.

It is evident that he is racked with guilt for he is after all a married man committing adultery.

The Expense of Spirit in a Waste of Shame is lust in action.

All this the world well knows, yet none knows well to shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.

Through these tortured words we have an intriguing personal glimpse of Shakespeare in Love and of the woman who has stolen his heart. He tells how he has stood blushing beside her as she has played upon the Virginals, the forerunner of the piano/ We learn that she like he is married.

He even goes so far as to tell us that she is prone to deception.

When my love swears she is made of truth. I do believe her. Though I know she lies. Simply I credit her false speaking tongue on both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.

And yet his feelings for her are far from adulatory.

In Faith I do not Love Thee with Mine eyes for they in thee a thousand errors note. But it is my heart which loves what they despise. Who in despite of these is pleased to dote.

A far from complimentary description and one which his mistress would need to have been blessed with quite a sense of humour to have found even mildly flattering. And as though it is not enough that Shakespeare is being torn apart by feelings of guilt he is also troubled by the realisation that a love triangle has developed for she has now become the mistress of the young man whom she has earlier encouraged to marry and appears in the poet's opinion to be corrupting him.

Two Loves have I of comfort and despair. Which like two spirits do suggest me still the better angel is a man, the worser spirit a women coloured ill. To win me soon to hell, my female evil tempteth my better angel from my side.

But later it becomes apparent that Southampton has stolen Shakespeare's mistress.

That thou hast her it is not all my grief. And yet it may be said. I loved her dearly.

And finally realising that he has lost his mistress to the socially superior Southampton, Shakespeare reluctantly resigns himself to his fate. But he cannot resist a parting shot to his mistress' brow.