First Quatrain: “O! Call not me to justify the wrong”
In the first quatrain of sonnet 139, the speaker addresses the “dark lady” pleading with her not to hurt him in such open and offending ways. He prefers that she just tell him plainly what is on her mind, instead of coyly flirting with others in his presence. He does not believe that he should have to excuse and defend himself for feeling the pain she causes by her disingenuousness.
The speaker wants an honest and open exchange between the two; his disposition requires exactitude, but he is discovering repeatedly that this lady is not capable of satisfying his wishes for plain truth.
Second Quatrain: “Tell me thou lovest elsewhere; but in my sight”
In the second quatrain, the speaker commands her to tell him that, “[she] loves[ ] elsewhere.” The reader has encountered this complaint in many of the “dark lady” sonnets, and it becomes apparent that her flaw will continue to sting the speaker if he continues in this unholy alliance with her.
In addition to a command, the speaker attaches a question, wondering why she has to “wound with cunning,” and he confesses a grave weakness that renders him a weasel as he whines, “thy might / Is more than my o’erpress’d defence can bide.” The strength of her continued infidelity overtakes his ability to defend himself against it.
Third Quatrain: “Let me excuse thee: ah! my love well knows”
The speaker sarcastically proclaims that she would have him excuse her, when she knows that it is her beauty, not her sparkling personality or intelligence, which has captured his imagination, a situation that the speaker finds inimical to his true interests: “Her pretty looks have been my enemies.”
The speaker then avers that she has engaged his enemies, but he would have her behave in such a way that would allow “[his] foes” to spray their venom somewhere else, and not in his direction. He knows he cannot trust her to listen to his commands and questions, but he seems compelled to engage her despite his desire to save himself from more humiliation and pain.
The Couplet: “Yet do not so; but since I am near slain”
The speaker then throws up his hands again in despair, remarking that since he has been nearly vanquished with the pain she has already caused, she might as will continue to stab him in the heart and “Kill [him] outright with looks.” If she can once and for all accomplish his death, at least he will experience the end of “[his] pain.”
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