So shall I live, supposing thou art true,
Like a deceived husband; so love's face
May still seem love to me, though alter'd new;
Thy looks with me, thy heart in other place:
For there can live no hatred in thine eye,
Therefore in that I cannot know thy change.
In many's looks the false heart's history
Is writ in moods and frowns and wrinkles strange,
But Heaven in thy creation did decree
That in thy face sweet love should ever dwell;
Whate'er thy thoughts or thy heart's workings be,
Thy looks should nothing thence but sweetness tell.
How like Eve's apple doth thy beauty grow,
If thy sweet virtue answer not thy show!
XCIII. The supposition contained in the last line of xcii. is here
enlarged upon. The poet's friend may still wear the semblance of love though his affection has been transferred to another; for Nature has so moulded his face that it must ever wear the appearance of love,
however changed may be his feelings.
3. Though alter'd new. Though changed from the expression of real
affection to its mere semblance.
13, 14. How like Eve's apple, &c. The reality not agreeing with appearance
How to cite this article:
Shakespeare, William. Sonnets. Ed. Thomas Tyler. London: D. Nutt, 1890. Shakespeare Online. 28 Dec. 2013. < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/sonnets/93.html >.
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