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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students

Sonnet 138: When my love swears that she is made of truth

William Shakespeare·1564–1616
Lines:14Movement:English Renaissance
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 untutor'd youth,Unlearned 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 flatter'd be.