Sonnet 42

That thou hast her, it is not all my grief,And yet it may be said I lov'd her dearly;That she hath thee, is of my wailing chief,A loss in love that touches me more nearly. 4Loving 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,Suffering my friend for my sake to approve her. 8If 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: 12But here's the joy; my friend and I are one;Sweet flattery! then she loves but me alone.

3 chief: the main cause7 abuse: misuse8 approve: like, make trial of (?)11 both twain: both the two