Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 10
For shame deny that thou bear’st love to any, Who for thyself art so unprovident. Grant if thou wilt, thou art belov’d of many, But that thou none lov’st is most evident; For thou art so possessed with murd'rous hate That ‘gainst thyself thou stick’st not to conspire, Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate Which to repair should be thy chief desire. O change thy thought, that I may change my mind. Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love? Be as thy presence is, gracious and kind, Or to thyself at least kind-hearted prove. Make thee another self for love of me, That beauty still may live in thine or thee.
In shame you deny that you love anyone else,
Since you are so careless in loving yourself.
Accept, if you can, that you are loved by many,
But the fact that you love no one is obvious;
For you are so possessed by murderous hate
That you don't hesitate to conspire against yourself,
Looking to ruin that beautiful building
Which your main wish should be to repair.
Oh change your mind, so I can change my opinion of you.
Why should hate be housed in your beauty, instead of noble love?
Be like your own presence, which is gracious and kind,
Or at least be kind-hearted to yourself.
Make yourself another self, out of love for me,
So that beauty can still live in you or your children.
