English poem
Sonnet 24: Mine eye hath play'd the painter and hath stell'd
Mine eye hath play'd the painter and hath stell'd, Thy beauty's form in table of my heart; My body is the frame wherein 'tis held, And perspective it is best painter's art. For through the painter must you see his skill, To find where your true image pictur'd lies, Which in my bosom's shop is hanging still, That hath his windows glazed with thine eyes. Now see what good turns eyes for eyes have done: Mine eyes have drawn thy shape, and thine for me Are windows to my breast, where-through the sun Delights to peep, to gaze therein on thee; Yet eyes this cunning want to grace their art, They draw but what they see, know not the heart.
More by William Shakespeare
- Sonnet 20: A woman's face with nature's own hand painted
- Sonnet 21: So is it not with me as with that Muse
- Sonnet 22: My glass shall not persuade me I am old
- Sonnet 23: As an unperfect actor on the stage
- Sonnet 25: Let those who are in favour with their stars
- Sonnet 26: Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
- Sonnet 27: Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed
- Sonnet 28: How can I then return in happy plight