Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Dark Lady Sonnet 144

CXLIV

Two loves, I have, of comfort and despair,
Which like two spirits do suggest me still;
The better angel is a man right fair,
The worser spirit a woman colour’d ill.
To win me soon to hell, my female evil
Tempteth my better angel from my side,
And would corrupt my saint to be a devil,
Wooing his purity with her foul pride.
And whether that my angel be turn’d fiend,
Suspect I may, but not directly tell;
But being both from me, both to each friend,
I guess one angel in another’s hell.
      Yet this shall I ne’er know, but live in doubt,
      Till my bad angel fire my good one out.

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