Shakespeare's Sonnets: When my love swears that she is made of truth

Shakespeare's Sonnets: When my love swears that she is made of truth

Sonnet 138

Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): i1v.
1When my love swears that she is made of truth,
2I do believe her, though I know she lies,
3That she might think me some untutor'd youth,
4Unlearnèd in the world's false subtleties.
5Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
6Although she knows my days are past the best,
7Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue.
8On both sides thus is simple truth suppress't.
9But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
10And wherefore say not I that I am old?
11O love's best habit is in seeming trust,
12And age in love, loves not to have years told.
13    Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,
14    And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

Notes

1] truth] faithfulness. Back to Line
3] That] So that. Back to Line
5] vainly] conceitedly; in vain. Back to Line
7] Simply] Simple-mindedly. Back to Line
9] Why doesn't she admit her untruthfulness? Back to Line
12] to have] t'haue Q. told] counted. Back to Line
13] lie] simultaneously, to utter a falsehood; to have sex. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1599
Publication Notes
In The Passionate Pilgrim.
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
ababcdcdefefgg
Form
sonnet