Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SONNET: 23, by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: As an unperfect actor on the stage Last Line: To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit. | ||||||||
As an unperfect actor on the stage Who with his fear is put besides 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'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might. O, let my books 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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...APRIL, FR. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ARIEL'S SONG (1) [OR, DIRGE] [OR, A SEA DIRGE]. FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ARIEL'S SONG (2), FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AUBADE [OR, A MORNING SONG FOR IMOGEN], FR. CYMBELINE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE CALIBAN [ON THE ISLAND], FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FANCY, FR. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FESTE'S SONG (1), FR. TWELFTH NIGHT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FESTE'S SONG (2), FR. TWELFTH NIGHT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE FRIENDSHIP [OR, THE TRUE FRIEND] by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE HEALTHFUL OLD AGE, FR. AS YOU LIKE IT by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE IMAGINATION, FR. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE |
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