Shakespeare's SonnetsWilliam Shakespeare
poetry · Item 145
A reason to turn the page
One small change in a word turned hate into mercy—what private shift kept him alive?
Discovery 10 of 15CXLV
Those lips that Love’s own hand did make, Breathed forth the sound that said ‘I hate’, To me that languish’d for her sake: But when she saw my woeful state, Straight in her heart did mercy come, Chiding that tongue that ever sweet Was us’d in giving gentle doom; And taught it thus anew to greet; ‘I hate’ she alter’d with an end, That followed it as gentle day, Doth follow night, who like a fiend From heaven to hell is flown away. ‘I hate’, from hate away she threw, And sav’d my life, saying ‘not you’.