Sonnet 83 by Shakespeare

Sonnet 83 is one of 154 sonnets written by the English playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It's a member of the Fair Youth sequence, in which the poet expresses his love towards a young man.

Synopsis
The youth does not need to be described or painted (with cosmetics), but exceeds what can be written about him. Therefore the poet has given up attempting to express the youth's worth, so that the reality will show up the weakness of his poetry. The youth has objected to the poet's silence, while the Rival Poet is writing, but the reality of the youth's beauty is much greater than both poets could express.

Interpretations

 * Imelda Staunton, for the 2002 compilation album, When Love Speaks (EMI Classics)