| SONNET 23 |
PARAPHRASE |
| As an unperfect actor on the stage |
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| Who with his fear is put besides his part, |
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| Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage, |
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| Whose strength's abundance weakens his own heart. |
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| So I, for fear of trust, forget to say |
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| The perfect ceremony of love's rite, |
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| And in mine own love's strength seem to decay, |
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| O'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might. |
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| O, let my books be then the eloquence |
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| And dumb presagers of my speaking breast, |
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| Who plead for love and look for recompense |
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| More than that tongue that more hath more express'd. |
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| O, learn to read what silent love hath writ: |
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| To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit. |
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