Sonnet LIV

Oblivion! How sweet and sharp the word!
Propinquity has brought us here these days.
But ignorance shall keep us far away.
Oblivion, you help but hurt my cause.

How sadly I do love this perfect friend,
And yet neglect will keep her far away.
But yet, my bashfulness, alack, each day!
Is glad oblivion shuts out my love.

These cursed pangs of love are my demise.
I see her here, all day and every day.
And yet love won’t relent, it won’t away.
Oblivion prevents it and increases it.

Oh, poor sad me, so hopelessly in love.
If only crude neglect would it remove.