That thou hast her it is not all my griefe,
And yet it may be said I lou’d her deerely;
That she hath thee is of my wayling cheefe,
A losse in loue that touches me more neerely.
Louing offendors, thus I will excuse yee:
Thou doost loue her, because thou knowst I loue her;
And for my sake euen so doth she abuse me,
Suffring my friend for my sake to approoue her;
If I loose thee, my losse is my loues gaine,
And loosing her, my friend hath found that losse;
Both finde each other, and I loose both twaine,
And both for my sake lay on me this crosse.
But here’s the ioy, my friend and I are one;
Sweete flattery, then she loues but me alone.
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 alone.