Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 109
O never say that I was false of heart, Though absence seemed my flame to qualify. As easy might I from myself depart As from my soul, which in thy breast doth lie. That is my home of love; if I have ranged, Like him that travels I return again, Just to the time, not with the time exchanged, So that myself bring water for my stain. Never believe, though in my nature reigned All frailties that besiege all kinds of blood, That it could so preposterously be stained To leave for nothing all thy sum of good. For nothing this wide universe I call, Save thou, my rose; in it thou art my all.
Oh never say that I was unfaithful,
Although my absence seemed to diminish my passion.
It would be easier to part me from myself
Than to leave my soul behind, which lies in your chest.
Your heart is the home of my love; if I have strayed,
Like a traveler I am coming home again,
At the appointed time, unchanged by the passing of time,
So that I can wash away the stain of my absence.
Never believe, although my nature is dominated by
All the weaknesses that besiege all kinds of blood,
That I could be so absurdly corrupted
To exchange all your goodness for something worthless.
I call the whole universe worthless,
Except you, my rose. In it you are my everything.
