Open Source Shakespeare

Sonnets

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Act I, Scene 43

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  • Shakespeare. When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,
    For all the day they view things unrespected; 590
    But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,
    And darkly bright are bright in dark directed.
    Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright,
    How would thy shadow's form form happy show
    To the clear day with thy much clearer light, 595
    When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so!
    How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made
    By looking on thee in the living day,
    When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
    Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay! 600
    All days are nights to see till I see thee,
    And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.