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. Sonnet 37 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. As a decrepit father takes delight, 02. To see his active child do deeds of youth, 03. So I, made lame by Fortune's dearest spite 04. Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth. 05. For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit, 06. Or any of these all, or all, or more 07. Entitled in their parts, do crowned sit, 08. I make my love engrafted to this store: 09. So then I am not lame, poor, nor despis'd, 10. Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give, 11. That I in thy abundance am suffic'd, 12. And by a part of all thy glory live. 13. Look what is best, that best I wish in thee, 14. This wish I have, then ten times happy me. |
. Sonnet 37 . (paraphrased) 01. The way a decrepit father takes delight 02. When he sees his healthy child do youthful feats, 03. That's how I, crippled by the most costly, malicious bad luck, 04. Gain all the comfort I have from your value and integrity. 05. For, whether handsomeness, natural character, prosperity, or intelligence - 06. Or any one of all those, or all together, or even more, as they're 07. Privileged by their respective roles to be dominant, in you - 08. I attach my love, as an integral part, to that abundance you have; 09. So then, I am not lame, poor, nor despised, 10. While being in your shadow gives me such completeness, 11. That I am satisfied in your plenitude, 12. And I thrive by being a part of all your glory. 13. Look around for whatever is best, and that best, I wish for you, 14. This wish I have, (since you are the best,) which makes me cheerful and lucky ten times over. |
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Sonnet 37 Gloss
L2: active = healthy. L2: deeds = feats. L3: made lame = crippled. "Lame" is both literal, and 'hobbled' in other ways. L3: dearest = most costly. L3: spite = mischief; maliciousness. L4: of = from. L4: truth = fidelity and honesty. (Double meaning.) Integrity. L5: birth = nature (as opposed to nuture.) Character. L6: these all = all these. L7: entitled in = entitled by. Privileged by. L7: parts = roles. L7: crowned sit = rule. Preside. Be dominant. L8: engrafted = attached. 'A part of.' L8: store = abundance. L10: shadow - The literal; or = image; reflection. L10: substance = 'body.' Being. Wholeness. Completeness. L11: suffic'd = satisfied. L12: live = thrive. L13: Look what = Look for whatever. L13: in = for. L13: happy = cheerful and lucky. (Double meaning.) |
Sonnet 37 Notes
Sonnet 37 is by Edward de Vere to William Shakespeare. |
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