Shakespeare's Sonnets: As an unperfect actor on the stage

Shakespeare's Sonnets: As an unperfect actor on the stage

Sonnet 23

Original Text
SHAKE-SPEARES SONNETS (London: G. Eld for T. T. and sold by William Aspley, 1609): c1v.
1As an unperfect actor on the stage,
2Who with his fear is put besides his part,
3Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage,
4Whose strength's abundance weakens his own heart,
5So I for fear of trust forget to say
6The perfect ceremony of love's right,
7And in mine own love's strength seem to decay,
8O'er-charg'd with burthen of mine own love's might:
9O let my books be then the eloquence
10And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
11Who plead for love and look for recompence
12More than that tongue that more hath more express't.
13    O learn to read what silent love hath writ,
14    To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.

Notes

2] put besides] deprived of. part] lines, speech. Back to Line
3] replete] filled. Back to Line
5] for fear of trust] in fear of not being believed. Back to Line
6] right] justified expectation, and rite. Back to Line
10] presagers] precursors (first used in 1591). Back to Line
14] with] wit Q. wit] wiht Q. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1609
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
2008
Rhyme
ababcdcdefefgg
Form
sonnet