William Shakespeare’s (1564–1614) Sonnets, which were first published as a group in 1609, contain some of the most celebrated love poems written in the English language. Sonnets are often associated with romantic poetry, and Shakespeare’s Sonnets cover themes including politics, sex, age, beauty, desire and love. Of his 154 sonnets, Shakespeare addresses 126 to a male subject described as a ‘fair youth’, while the rest are to a ‘Dark Lady’. To the 'fair youth' Shakespeare writes:

In all external grace you have some part,
But you like none, none you, for constant heart

Sonnet 53

Amongst the more modern holdings of Shakespeare’s works in the Royal Library is this edition of the poems and sonnets published by the Kelmscott Press, which was founded and run by the arts and crafts designer William Morris (1834–96).