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. Sonnet 42 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. That thou hast her it is not all my grief, 02. And yet it may be said I lov'd her dearly, 03. That she hath thee is of my wailing chief, 04. A loss in love that touches me more nearly. 05. Loving offenders thus I will excuse ye: 06. Thou dost love her, because thou knowst I love her; 07. And for my sake even so doth she abuse me, 08. Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her. 09. If I lose thee, my loss is my love's gain, 10. And losing her, my friend hath found that loss, 11. Both find each other, and I lose both twain, 12. And both for my sake lay on me this cross. 13. But here's the joy, my friend and I are one, 14. Sweet flattery, then she loves but me alone. |
. Sonnet 42 . (paraphrased) 01. That you have her, that is not all my woe, 02. And yet, it may be said I loved her dearly; 03. That she has you, is the leading cause of my sorrow, 04. And that's a loss, in love, that touches me more deeply; 05. You two are offenders in love, so I will excuse you, thusly: 06. You love her, because you know I love her, 07. And it's for my sake, in the same way, that she mistreats me, 08. Tolerating my friend, for my sake, to commend her; 09. If I lose you, that loss is a gain by my love, 10. And by my losing her, my friend has gained that loss; 11. Both gain each other, and I lose both, doubly, 12. And both for the sake of my love, give me this burden to bear; 13. But here's the joy in it for me: since my friend and I are one, in our loves, 14. I flatter myself sweetly, that she loves only me, alone. |
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Sonnet 42 Gloss
L1: grief = woe. L3: wailing = sorrow. L3: chief = the leading cause. L4: nearly = deeply. L5: thus = thusly. Also, 'so.' (Double meaning.) 'Loving offenders, I will excuse you thusly.' 'You are loving offenders, so I will excuse you.' The double meaning is intentional, through the use and placement of "thus." L5: excuse - Literal; or 'justify.' L7: even so = in the same way. L7: abuse = mistreat. L8: Suffering = tolerating. L8: approve = commend. L11: twain = doubly. L12: cross = burden. L14: flattery = self-serving compliment. |
Sonnet 42 Notes
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