| SONNET 42 |
PARAPHRASE |
| That thou hast her, it is not all my grief, |
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| And yet it may be said I loved her dearly; |
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| That she hath thee, is of my wailing chief, |
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| A loss in love that touches me more nearly. |
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| Loving offenders, thus I will excuse ye: |
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| Thou dost love her, because thou knowst I love her; |
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| And for my sake even so doth she abuse me, |
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| Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her. |
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| If I lose thee, my loss is my love's gain, |
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| And losing her, my friend hath found that loss; |
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| Both find each other, and I lose both twain, |
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| And both for my sake lay on me this cross: |
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| But here's the joy; my friend and I are one; |
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| Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone. |
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