Page:Shakespeare's Sonnets.djvu/122

Rh

When my love swears that she is made of truth

I do believe her, though I know she lies,

That she might think me some untutor'd youth,

Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.

Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,

Although she knows my days are past the best,

Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue;

On both sides thus is simple truth suppress'd.

But wherefore says she not she is unjust?

And wherefore say not I that I am old?

O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,

And age in love loves not to have years told;

Therefore I lie with her and she with me,

And in our faults by lies we flatter'd be.

O, call not me to justify the wrong

That thy unkindness lays upon my heart;

Wound me not with thine eye but with thy tongue;

Use power with power, and slay me not by art.

Tell me thou lov'st elsewhere, but in my sight,

Dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside;

What need'st thou wound with cunning when thy might

Is more than my o'er-press'd defence can bide?

Let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knows

Her pretty looks have been mine enemies,

And therefore from my face she turns my foes,

That they elsewhere might dart their injuries;

Yet do not so, but since I am near slain

Kill me outright with looks and rid my pain.