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Sonnet 57
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 58
That god forbid, that made me first your slave, I should in thought control your times of pleasure, Or at your hand th' account of hours to crave, Being your vassal bound to stay your leisure. O let me suffer, being at your beck, Th' imprisoned absence of your liberty; And patience tame to sufferance bide each check, Without accusing you of injury. Be where you list, your charter is so strong That you yourself may privilege your time To what you will; to you it doth belong Yourself to pardon of self-doing crime. I am to wait, though waiting so be hell, Not blame your pleasure, be it ill or well.
Cupid, the god who first made me your slave,
Forbid me from thinking I can control when you seek pleasure,
Or want you to tell me how you have been spending the hours,
Being your tenant and therefore obliged to wait on you.
Oh let me suffer, being absolutely under your control,
In the imprisoned absence, which is your right;
And let patience teach me endure each hardship,
Without blaming you for my suffering.
Be wherever you want, you have so strong a claim
That you can spend your time
Doing whatever you like. You may also
Pardon yourself of any crime you commit
I have to wait, although waiting like this is hell,
And not criticize you for your desires, good or bad.
