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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 89

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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 89
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Sonnet 89

89

Synopsis:

This sonnet is a detailed extension of the closing line of s. 88. The poet here lists the ways he will make himself look bad in order to make the beloved look good.

 
Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault,
And I will comment upon that offense;
Speak of my lameness and I straight will halt,
4Against thy reasons making no defense.
Thou canst not, love, disgrace me half so ill,
To set a form upon desirèd change,
As I’ll myself disgrace, knowing thy will;
8I will acquaintance strangle and look strange,
Be absent from thy walks, and in my tongue
Thy sweet belovèd name no more shall dwell,
Lest I, too much profane, should do it wrong
12And haply of our old acquaintance tell.
 For thee, against myself I’ll vow debate,
 For I must ne’er love him whom thou dost hate.