William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet XXIII
As an unperfect
actor on the stage,
Who with his fear
is put beside his part,
Or some fierce thing
replete with too much rage,
Whose strength's abundance
weakens his own heart;
So I, for fear of
trust, forget to say
The perfect ceremony
of love's rite,
And in mine own love's
strength seem to decay,
O'ercharg'd with burthen
of mine own love's might.
O! let my looks be
then the eloquence
And dumb presagers
of my speaking breast,
Who plead for love,
and look for recompense,
More than that tongue
that more hath more express'd.
O! learn to read what silent love hath writ:
To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.
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