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Sonnet 144
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 145
Those lips that love’s own hand did make Breathed forth the sound that said “I hate” To me that languished for her sake; But when she saw my woeful state, Straight in her heart did mercy come, Chiding that tongue that, ever sweet, Was used in giving gentle doom, And taught it thus anew to greet: “I hate” she altered with an end That followed it as gentle day Doth follow night, who like a fiend From heav'n to hell is flown away. “I hate” from hate away she threw, And saved my life, saying “not you.”
Those lips that love's own hand made
Breathed out the sound that means "I hate"
To me, who was yearning for her love;
But when she saw my sorrowful state,
Her heart immediately became merciful,
Chastising that tongue which, always sweet,
Was used to offer gentle judgments,
And taught it to greet me in a different way:
She changed "I hate," with a different ending
That followed it like noble day
Follows night, which like a monster
Flies away from heaven to hell.
She tore the words "I hate" away from hate
And saved my life, by adding "not you."
