The Poetry Corner

The Sonnets CXLIX - Canst thou, O cruel! say I love thee not

By William Shakespeare

Canst thou, O cruel! say I love thee not, When I against myself with thee partake? Do I not think on thee, when I forgot Am of my self, all tyrant, for thy sake? Who hateth thee that I do call my friend, On whom frownst thou that I do fawn upon, Nay, if thou lourst on me, do I not spend Revenge upon myself with present moan? What merit do I in my self respect, That is so proud thy service to despise, When all my best doth worship thy defect, Commanded by the motion of thine eyes? But, love, hate on, for now I know thy mind,; Those that can see thou lovst, and I am blind.