| Translation and Analysis of Sonnet CXXXVIII |
|
| SONNET 138 |
| 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. |
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