Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 61
Is it thy will thy image should keep open My 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 thee So 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. For thee watch I whilst thou dost wake elsewhere, From me far off, with others all too near.
Is it your wish, for your image to keep open
My heavy eyelids throughout the tiring night?
Do you wish for my sleep to be broken up,
While shadows that look like you mock my sight?
Is it your ghost, that you send me from you
So far from home to pry into my private affairs,
To discover shameful things and how I spend my free time,
Which is the focus and object of your jealousy?
Oh no: your love is a lot but it is not so great.
It is my love that keeps my eye awake,
My own true love that defeats my ability to sleep,
To always watch over for you for your own sake.
I keep a lookout for you while you are awake elsewhere,
Far away from me, but all too close to others.