The Poetry Corner

The Sonnets X - For shame! deny that thou bearst love to any

By William Shakespeare

For shame! deny that thou bearst love to any, Who for thy self art so unprovident. Grant, if thou wilt, thou art belovd of many, But that thou none lovst is most evident: For thou art so possessd with murderous hate, That gainst thy self thou stickst not to conspire, Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate Which to repair should be thy chief desire. O! change thy thought, that I may change my mind: Shall hate be fairer lodgd than gentle love? Be, as thy presence is, gracious and kind, Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove: Make thee another self for love of me, That beauty still may live in thine or thee.