HOME | BOOKS | AUTHORS' CORNER | PHOTO GALLERY | IMAGES of SPACE | LINKS | STORE | ABOUT US |
Buy The Sonnets of William Shakespeare at a discount from the Publisher. |
Buy The Sonnets of William Shakespeare from Amazon. |
This Month's Articles on Writing |
When my love swears that she is made of truth I do believe her, though I know she lies, That she might think me some untutored youth, Unlearnèd in the world’s false subtleties. Thus, vainly thinking that she thinks me young, Although she knows my days are past the best, Simply I credit her false speaking tongue; On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed. But wherefore says she not she is unjust? And wherefore say not I that I am old? O, love’s best habit is in seeming trust, And age in love loves not to have years told.      Therefore I lie with her and she with me,       And in our faults by lies we flattered be. |
NOTES: Here, the poet suggests the wisdom of honest and open deception as a source of mutual happiness between lovers. Line 1, made of truth: is faithful and true. Line 2, lies: is lying; or, lies with other men. Line 3, untutored: innocent or naive. Line 5, vainly: foolishly; or conceitedly; or in vain. Line 7, Simply: credulously; credit: believe. Line 8, suppressed: hidden, or unrevealed. Line 9, unjust: unfaithful, or untruthful. Line 11, habit: a garment, as well as a customary mode of behavior; seeming trust: outward credulity. Line 12, age in love: infatuated older people. Lines 13-14, lie; lies: both senses of “lie” are meant—carnal as well as untruthfulness ( Shakespeare’s best puns often could not help being bawdy); faults: failings or shortcomings. |
Website ©2008 by Jeffrey Caminsky
Excerpts ©2008 by Jeffrey Caminsky