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SONNET 27Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,The dear repose for limbs with travel tired; But then begins a journey in my head, To work my mind, when body's work's expired: For then my thoughts (from far where I abide) Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee, And keep my drooping eyelids open wide, Looking on darkness which the blind do see: Save that my soul's imaginary sight Presents thy shadow to my sightless view, Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night, Makes black night beauteous and her old face new. Lo, thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind, For thee, and for myself, no quiet find. NOTES XXVII. The poet is at a distance from his friend on a journey; and when his body rests at night, then begins a mental pilgrimage to his friend, which keeps his eyes from sleep. The night, however, acquires a new beauty, when he sees his friend's image in the darkness. 4. To work my mind. To set my mind at work; or, my mind begins to work. 6. Intend. Direct onwards. 7. My drooping eyelids. My eyelids, which otherwise would fain close in sleep. 8. Which the blind do see. Equally with those whose eyesight is not impaired. 10. Thy. Q. gives "their" instead of "thy," probably from a misunderstood abbreviation. Shadow. Image, as elsewhere. 11, 12. Like a jewel, &c. Romeo and Juliet, Act i. sc. 5, lines 47, 48, has been compared: "It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night13, 14. There must be a change of order to give the sense; and then we have, "By day, my limbs for myself; by night, my mind for thee, no quiet find." How to cite this article:______ Even More...  Stratford School Days: What Did Shakespeare Read? Games in Shakespeare's England [A-L] Games in Shakespeare's England [M-Z] An Elizabethan Christmas Clothing in Elizabethan England Queen Elizabeth: Shakespeare's Patron King James I of England: Shakespeare's Patron The Earl of Southampton: Shakespeare's Patron Going to a Play in Elizabethan London Ben Jonson and the Decline of the Drama Publishing in Elizabethan England Shakespeare's Audience Religion in Shakespeare's England Alchemy and Astrology in Shakespeare's Day Entertainment in Elizabethan England London's First Public Playhouse Shakespeare Hits the Big Time
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