S 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 dump presagers of my speaking breast,
- Who plead for love, and look for recompense,
- More than that tongue that more hath more expressed.
- O, learn to read what silent love hath writ:
- To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.
SONNET #23
by: William Shakespeare (1564-1616)