Sonnet 59: If there be nothing new, but that which is

William Shakespeare 1564 (Stratford-upon-Avon) – 1616 (Stratford-upon-Avon)



If there be nothing new, but that which is
Hath been before, how are our brains beguiled,
Which, labouring for invention bear amis
The second burthen of a former child!
O, that record could with a backward look,
Even of five hundred courses of the sun,
Show me your image in some antique book,
Since mind at first in character was done.
That I might see what the old world could say
To this composèd wonder of your frame;
Whether we are mended, or whe'er better they,
Or whether revolution be the same.
    O, sure I am the wits of former days
    To subjects worse have given admiring praise.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 11, 2023

33 sec read
128

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCBDEDEFGFGHH
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 589
Words 111
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". more…

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    "Sonnet 59: If there be nothing new, but that which is" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/41508/sonnet-59:-if-there-be-nothing-new,-but-that-which-is>.

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