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Sonnet XLII pdf version
 
That thou hast her, it is not all my grief,1
And yet it may be said I loved her dearly;2
That she hath thee, is of my wailing chief,3
A loss in love that touches me more nearly.4
Loving offenders, thus I will excuse ye:5
Thou dost love her, because thou knowst I love her;6
And for my sake even so doth she abuse me,7
Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her.8
If I lose thee, my loss is my love's gain,9
And losing her, my friend hath found that loss;10
Both find each other, and I lose both twain,11
And both for my sake lay on me this cross:12
    But here's the joy; my friend and I are one;13
    Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone.14