Sonnet 42

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