English poem
Sonnet 139: O! call not me to justify the wrong
O! call not me to justify the wrong That thy unkindness lays upon my heart; Wound me not with thine eye, but with thy tongue: Use power with power, and slay me not by art, Tell me thou lov'st elsewhere; but in my sight, Dear heart, forbear to glance thine eye aside: What need'st thou wound with cunning, when thy might Is more than my o'erpress'd defence can bide? Let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knows Her pretty looks have been mine enemies; And therefore from my face she turns my foes, That they elsewhere might dart their injuries: Yet do not so; but since I am near slain, Kill me outright with looks, and rid my pain.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 135: Whoever hath her wish, thou hast thy 'Will,'
- Sonnet 136: If thy soul check thee that I come so near
- Sonnet 137: Thou blind fool, Love, what dost thou to mine eyes
- Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth
- Sonnet 13: O! that you were your self; but, love you are
- Sonnet 140: Be wise as thou art cruel; do not press
- Sonnet 141: In faith I do not love thee with mine eyes
- Sonnet 142: Love is my sin, and thy dear virtue hate