William Shakespeare, Sonnet lxxxv
My tongue-tied muse in manners holds her still,
While comments of your praise, richly compil'd ,
Reserve their character with golden quill, [*]
4
And precious phrase by all the muses fil'd .
I think good thoughts, while others write good words,
And, like unlettered clerk, still cry "Amen"
To every hymn that able spirit affords,
8
In polish'd form of well-refined pen.
Hearing you prais'd , I say, "'Tis so, 'tis true,"
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
12
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.
Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
Notes
line 3: Reserve is here again used for preserve. [ Back to text ]
Most notes to Shakespeare's sonnets are from Charles Knight's edition, but those in square brackets are mine.