Age Quote by William Shakespeare
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Twelfth Night, 1602
The speaker pleads for the beloved to stay awake, fearing loss of love and vigilance.
In simple terms: Love keeps the speaker awake and watchful.
Key Takeaway
Stay attentive to love’s demands.
Themes
love
vigilance
longing
Mood
melancholy
passionate
Type
poetic
dramatic
When to use this quote
- romantic relationship
- nighttime contemplation
- personal devotion
Key Concepts
emotional yearning
dependency
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you balance love with personal rest?
- How does vigilance affect emotional health?
A Different Perspective
The speaker may be over‑dependent, risking burnout.
