Shakespeare's Sonnets: That thou hast her it is not all my grief

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

© William Shakespeare