Lin Lane Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Oliver's 'Bard's Birthday Contest * 3/27/25

Feel the Merchant's Wrath

‘If you prick us, do we not bleed? 
   If you tickle us, do we not laugh? 
      If you poison us, do we not die? 
         And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?’
             ~ (The Merchant of Venice, Act 3, Scene 1)


'Tis a fair merchant that I claim to be   
Lowly seller of wares and grain for seed
An honest man, but if one dares cheat me
Clobbering I shall do, until they bleed

My body is off limits, so hands off
No laughter shall thee hear if I'm tickled
Nay!  A frown given to thee and a scoff
With sour brine I'll throw, thee shall be pickled!

Poison me, peasant and If I'm not dead
I shall slip Romeo's drink in your ale
In your pints be wary and live with dread
For in Venice, your body shall float pale

My merchant's wrath shall be deadly, if wronged
I shall prick thee with a fork, double pronged

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Terry Miller April 29, 2025 at 7:28 AM Brilliant use of a sonnet in this contest and so well penned love love the last line! Lin Lane April 29, 2025 at 7:34 AM For the Bard, nothing but a Sonnet would've seemed appropriate. Thank you so very much for your thoughts on the last line, Terry.

Beau Barberis April 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM So witty and funny and a great tribute to Shakespeare! Predicting "I shall prick thee with a fork, double pronged" will be the new line in our family arguments. Lin Lane April 29, 2025 at 7:33 AM lol Beau. Use that line in good humor! Thanks for the read and leaving your fun comments.

Duke Beaufort March 31, 2025 at 5:39 PM Lin, a sonnet no less. It does honor to the character with humor. He or she is no one to fool around with (like you!). Those who do could end up like tumbleweeds! Lin Lane April 1, 2025 at 3:33 AM It's Willie Shake! A Sonnet was the only choice for me. lol The Merchant, or perhaps me as Shakespeare's Shrew shouldn't be messed with. I don't need taming. ;-)

Ink Empress March 28, 2025 at 7:19 AM Dear Linnersz, this is such a profound sonnet altho im not an expert in writing them, i still can tell when i read a brilliant one that not only flows with such shakespeare themed diction but such strength and resilience, i love so many lines in this and the quote hits deep! Shakespeare did write on so many deep subjects and he was an inspiration for me. I really love the lines “ Poison me, peasant and If I'm not dead I shall slip Romeo's drink in your ale” love that! So creative! Best wishes always. Sending you light Lin Lane March 29, 2025 at 6:28 AM Thanks ever so much for your kind thoughts, and your humility, Ink. Your poetry is unique unto itself.;-) I'm more of a Hamlet fancier, but this quote was something I wanted to work with.

John Read March 27, 2025 at 12:00 PM Hi Lin, I'll be extra careful not to upset you lol. Lin Lane March 28, 2025 at 12:24 AM That’s the best place to keep it, John. ;-) John Read March 27, 2025 at 12:41 PM Thank you Lin I feel a lot more comfortable now I've been spared the pickle barrel, as for all the scuttlebutt nonsense it just goes over my head. Lin Lane March 27, 2025 at 12:12 PM Hey, John. You've always been a very nice gentleman, and despite the 'mean girls' rep a few PS ladies have been given... I'm not a threat to nice guys... no need to brine you in a pickle barrel. And don't believe all the scuttlebutt you read.

Tom Cunningham March 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM Brilliant Lin, Shakespeare would have loved this sonnet, his trademark. Good luck in the contest. Not long back, had a nice break, hope your week is going well. Tom Lin Lane March 27, 2025 at 12:08 PM Hey, Tom and thank you! I'm glad you're back, safe and sound... well rested for a bit? I'm usually more tired when I get back from time away. I'm more of a fan of Hamlet than I am of the Merchant, but I thought it would be fun to write to this quote.

Jan Allison March 27, 2025 at 10:05 AM Im not a fan of the bard Lin i find his work dull and boring BUT I do like your sonnet very witty! hugs Jan xx Lin Lane March 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM I know, chick, but his plays and Sonnets are wonderful. I shoulda picked a quote from Taming of the Shrew... mean girl that I am. This contest was supposed to transform a quote into humorous lines, so...