Sonnet 49: Against That Time if Ever That Time Come

XLIX

Against that time, if ever that time come.

When I shall see thee frown on my defects,

When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum,

Call'd to that audit by advis'd respects

Against that time, when thou shalt strangely pass,

And scarcely greet me with that sun, thine eye.

When love, converted from the thing it was.

Shall reasons find of settled gravity

Against that time do I ensconce me here

Within the knowledge of mine own desert,

And this my hand against myself uprear,

To guard the lawful reasons on thy part

To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws.

Since, why to love, I can allege no cause.

William Shakespeare

© Copyright 2026 A.C. Ionescu. All rights Reserved.