Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 141

by William Shakespeare

For other versions of this work, see Sonnet 141 (Shakespeare).

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141

In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,
For they in thee a thousand errors note;
But 'tis my heart that loves what they despise,
Who, in despite of view, is pleas'd to dote. 4
Nor are mine ears with thy tongue's tune delighted;
Nor tender feeling to base touches prone.
Nor taste nor smell desire to be invited
To any sensual feast with thee alone: 8
But my five wits nor my five senses can
Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee,
Who leaves unsway'd the likeness of a man,
Thy proud heart's slave and vassal wretch to be: 12
Only my plague thus far I count my gain,
That she that makes me sin awards me pain.

 

9 five wits; cf. n.
11 unsway'd: deprived of self-control (?)
14 pain: punishment