Submit your work, meet writers and drop the ads. Become a member
The Complete Works by William Shakespeare
Th’ expense of spirit in a waste of shame
Is lust in action; and, till action, lust
Is perjured, murderous, ****** full of blame,
Savage, extreme, rude, cruel, not to trust,
Enjoyed no sooner but despisèd straight,
Past reason hunted, and no sooner had
Past reason hated as a swallowed bait
On purpose laid to make the taker mad.
Mad in pursuit, and in possession so;
Had, having, and in quest to have, extreme;
A bliss in proof, and proved, a very woe,
Before a joy proposed; behind, a dream.
    All this the world well knows, yet none knows well
    To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell.
Book: The Complete Works by William Shakespeare
Please log in to view and add comments on poems