SONNET 141 | PARAPHRASE |
In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes, | In truth, I do not love you with my eyes, |
For they in thee a thousand errors note; | For they note a thousand faults in you; |
But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise, | But it is my heart that loves what my eyes dislike, |
Who in despite of view is pleased to dote; | Which, despite what it sees, continues to dote over you; |
Nor are mine ears with thy tongue's tune delighted, | Nor are mine ears delighted by the sound of your voice, |
Nor tender feeling, to base touches prone, | Nor will my sense of feeling respond to just anyone's touch, |
Nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invited | Nor do my senses of taste or smell desire to be invited |
To any sensual feast with thee alone: | To any sensual feast with you and you alone. |
But my five wits nor my five senses can | But my five wits nor my five senses can |
Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee, | Persuade my foolish heart not to serve you, |
Who leaves unsway'd the likeness of a man, | Who leaves only the likeness of a man |
Thy proud hearts slave and vassal wretch to be: | To be your proud heart's slave and vassal. |
Only my plague thus far I count my gain, | Only in this do I consider my love-sickness to my advantage, |
That she that makes me sin awards me pain. | She that makes me sin determines my punishment. |