Sonnet 23

As 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; 4So I, for fear of trust, forget to sayThe perfect ceremony of love's rite,And in mine own love's strength seem to decay,O'ercharg'd with burden of mine own love's might. 8O, let my books be then the eloquenceAnd dumb presagers of my speaking breast,Who plead for love, and look for recompense,More than that tongue that more hath more express'd.O, learn to read what silent love hath writ: 13To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.

2 put besides: put out of5 fear of trust: fearing to trust myself (?), lacking all self-confidence (?)10 presagers: indicators12 that more . . . express'd: that more eloquently has told of greater devotion