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- Edition: The Sonnets
The Sonnets (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
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2026136
2027If thy soul check thee that I come so near,
2028Swear to thy blind soul that I was thy Will,
2029And will, thy soul knows, is admitted there;
2030Thus far for love my love-suit sweet fulfil.
2031Will will fulfil the treasure of thy love,
2032Ay, fill it full with wills, and my will one;
2033In things of great receipt with ease we prove
2034Among a number one is reckoned none.
2035Then in the number let me pass untold,
2036Though in thy store's account I one must be.
2037For nothing hold me, so it please thee hold
2038That nothing, me, a something sweet to thee.
2039 Make but my name thy love, and love that still,
2040 And then thou lov'st me, for my name is Will.
2041137
2042Thou blind fool, Love, what dost thou to mine eyes,
2043That they behold, and see not what they see?
2044They know what beauty is, see where it lies,
2045Yet what the best is, take the worst to be.
2046If eyes, corrupt by over-partial looks,
2047Be anchored in the bay where all men ride,
2048Why of eyes' falsehood hast thou forgèd hooks,
2049Whereto the judgment of my heart is tied?
2050Why should my heart think that a several plot
2051Which my heart knows the wide world's common place?
2052Or mine eyes, seeing this, say this is not,
2053To put fair truth upon so foul a face?
2054 In things right true my heart and eyes have erred,
2055 And to this false plague are they now transferred.
2056138
2057When my love swears that she is made of truth,
2058I do believe her, though I know she lies,
2059That she might think me some untutored youth
2060Unlearnèd in the world's false subtleties.
2061Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
2062Although she knows my days are past the best,
2063Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue;
2064On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.
2065But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
2066And wherefore say not I that I am old?
2067O love's best habit is in seeming trust,
2068And age in love loves not to have years told.
2069 Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,
2070 And in our faults by lies we flattered be.