A Note on Shakespeare's Sonnet 143

Lo, as a careful housewife runs to catch

One of her feathered creatures broke away,

Sets down her babe, and makes all swift dispatch

In pursuit of the thing she would have stay

Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase,

Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent

To follow that which flies before her face,

Not prizing her poor infant's discontent—

So runn'st thou after that which flies from thee,

Whilst I thy babe chase thee afar behind,