Say that thou didst forsake me for some fault,
And I will comment upon that offence;
Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,
Against thy reasons making no defence.
Thou canst not, love, disgrace me half so ill,
To set a form upon desired change,
As I’ll myself disgrace: knowing thy will,
I will acquaintance strangle and look strange,
Be absent from thy walks, and in my tongue
Thy sweet beloved name no more shall dwell,
Lest I, too much profane, should do it wrong
And 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.
The masochism of the previous sonnet continues, with the poet offering to submit to all accusations, real or otherwise, and justify them on behalf of the beloved. Here he recognises the possibility that the loving relationship must end, and that the youth is about to abandon him. But his love is so great that he will not indulge in any recriminations. On the contrary, he will defend the youth’s actions against all comers, and justify whatever disgraceful accusations are heaped upon himself by taking the youth’s part against himself. When the worst comes, and love turns to hatred, he will hate himself, for he cannot take a contrary position to that which the young man adopts. He must love or hate whatever his love loves or hates, even if he himself becomes the object of that hatred.
Sonnet LXXXIX
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