Sonnet 36

by William Shakespeare · (no date)
Published 01/07/1880

Let me confess that we two must be twain,

Although our undivided loves are one:

So shall those blots that do with me remain,

Without thy help, by me be borne alone.

In our two loves there is but one respect,

Though in our lives a separable spite,

Which, though it alter not love's sole effect,

Yet doth it steal sweet hours from love's delight.

I may not evermore acknowledge thee,

Lest my bewailed guilt should do thee shame,

Nor thou with public kindness honour me,

Unless thou take that honour from thy name:

      But do not so; I love thee in such sort

      As thou being mine, mine is thy good report.

#forbidden love #guilt #honor #secret #william shakespeare

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