- That thou hast her it is not all my grief,
- And yet it may be said I loved her dearly;
- That she hath thee is of my wailing chief,
- A loss in love that touches me more nearly.
- Loving offenders thus I will excuse ye:
- Thou dost love her, because thou know’st I love her;
- And for my sake even so doth she abuse me,
- Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her.
- If I lose thee, my loss is my love’s gain,
- And losing her, my friend hath found that loss;
- Both find each other, and I lose both twain,
- And both for my sake lay on me this cross:
- But here’s the joy; my friend and I are one;
- Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone.