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 ,
And darkly bright, are bright in dark directed.
Then whose shadow shadows make bright
How would shadow’s form, form happy show,
To the clear day with much clearer light,
When to unseeing eyes shade shines so!
How would (I say) mine eyes be blessed made,
By looking on in the living day,
When in dead night fair imperfect shade,
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes stay!
All days are nights to see till I see ,
And nights bright days when dreams do show me.
Sonnet 43
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Modern spelling for reading. The edition is public domain in the United States. Edition source.