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.