Sonnet 47 (Shakespeare)

A Sonnet (or short poem) from a collection written by William Shakespeare, published in 1609. #47 Synopsis: After the verdict is rendered (in s. 46), the poet’s eyes and heart become allies, with the eyes sometimes inviting the heart to enjoy the picture, and the heart sometimes inviting the eyes to share in its “thoughts of love.” The beloved, though absent, is thus doubly present to the poet through the picture and through the poet’s thoughts. Betwixt mine eye and heart a league is took, And each doth good turns now unto the other. When that mine eye is famished for a look, Or heart in love with sighs himself doth smother, With my love’s picture then my eye doth feast And to the painted banquet bids my heart. Another time mine eye is my heart’s guest And in his thoughts of love doth share a part. So, either by thy picture or my love, Thyself away are present still with me; For thou no farther than my thoughts canst move, And I am still with them, and they with thee; Or, if they sleep, thy picture in my sight Awakes my heart to heart’s and eye’s delight. (Project Gutenberg, Public Domain) Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm. Learn how to start a podcast here.