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,
Suff’ring 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 alon