Sonnet 43

When most I wink, then do mine eyes best see,For all the day they view things unrespected;But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,And darkly bright, are bright in dark directed. 4Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright,How would thy shadow's form form happy showTo the clear day with thy much clearer light,When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so! 8How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed madeBy looking on thee in the living day,When in dead night thy fair imperfect shadeThrough heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay! 12All days are nights to see till I see thee,And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

1 wink: close my eyes2 unrespected: unworthy of notice4 darkly: in the dark5 whose shadow . . . bright: whose remembered image makes darkness bright