The Gad About Town

When I consider every thing that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and cheque’d even by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay,
To change your day of youth to sullied night;
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.—Shakespeare, Sonnet 15

“Neuer before imprinted.” The London printer Thomas Thorpe made sure to boldly put that statement on the title page of his edition of “Shake-speares Sonnets” (seen at top). On this date in 1609, Thorpe announced plans to publish the book: he wrote the following in the Stationer’s Register of soon-to-be published works: “Entred for his copie under the handes of master Wilson and master Lownes Wardenes a booke called Shakespeares sonnettes.” He paid six pence for the copyright.
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