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，

　　So I，for fear of trust，forget to say

　　The perfect ceremony of love's rite，

　　And in mine own love's strength seem to decay，

　　O'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might.

　　O let my books be then the eloquence

　　And dumb presagers of my sp