SONNET 26	PARAPHRASE
Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage	My Lord of love, in whose service
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,	of your great honor I owe so much,
To thee I send this written embassage,	I send this message,
To witness duty, not to show my wit,	not to show off my cleverness, but in humble respect,
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine	a respect and reverence so great, which in my poor wit
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,	makes me seem so poor in finding adequate words to express (my love),
But that I hope some good conceit of thine	but I hope a positive conception of it,
In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it;	destitute as it is, you will think of it in your thoughts;
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving	Till fate guides me sometime in the future
Points on me graciously with fair aspect	and makes a better man of me
And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,	by making my 'poor' love more presentable
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect -	as to be worthy of your respect.
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee,	Then I will boast of my love for you,
Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me.	but till then, I will not show my face where you can put me to the test.