Is it thy will, thy image should keep openMy heavy eyelids to the weary night?Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken,While shadows like to thee do mock my sight?Is it thy spirit that thou send'st from theeSo far from home into my deeds to pry,To find out shames and idle hours in me,The scope and tenor of thy jealousy?O, no! thy love, though much, is not so great:It is my love that keeps mine eye awake:Mine own true love that doth my rest defeat,To play the watchman ever for thy sake
In this excerpt, the speaker expresses a sense of torment and sleeplessness caused by love. They question whether the beloved wishes for their rest to be disturbed, suggesting that shadows and visions remind them of the beloved's presence. The speaker feels a conflict, wondering if the beloved’s spirit is spying on them to uncover their flaws, fueled by jealousy.
Ultimately, the speaker concludes that their own deep feelings are the true source of their wakefulness. Their love compels them to stay alert, serving as a constant watchman, which disrupts their peace and sleep. Shakespeare captures the depths of love's impact on the human experience, highlighting its powerful and sometimes painful nature.
