Sonnet 145

The Dark Lady: Reckoning

1 Those lips that Love's own hand did make,
2 Breathed forth the sound that said 'I hate',
3 To me that languish'd for her sake:
4 But when she saw my woeful state,
5 Straight in her heart did mercy come,
6 Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
7 Was us'd in giving gentle doom;
8 And taught it thus anew to greet;
9 'I hate' she alter'd with an end,
10 That followed it as gentle day,
11 Doth follow night, who like a fiend
12 From heaven to hell is flown away.
13 'I hate', from hate away she threw,
14 And sav'd my life, saying 'not you'.