William Shakespeare. 1564–1616

Sonnet XLIX.

“Against that time, if ever that time come”


AGAINST that time, if ever that time come  
When I shall see thee frown on my defects,  
When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum,  
Call’d to that audit by advis’d respects;  
Against that time when thou shalt strangely pass,    5
And scarcely greet me with that sun, thine eye,  
When love, converted from the thing it was,  
Shall reasons find of settled gravity;  
Against that time do I ensconce me here  
Within the knowledge of mine own desert,   10
And this my hand against myself uprear,  
To guard the lawful reasons on thy part:  
  To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws,  
  Since why to love I can allege no cause.