Go to the Sonnets INTRO page
|
|
|
Go to the LIST of Sonnets page
Go to the Sonnets INTRO page |
|
. Sonnet 38 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. How can my Muse want subject to invent 02. While thou dost breathe that pour'st into my verse, 03. Thine own sweet argument, too excellent, 04. For every vulgar paper to rehearse: 05. Oh give thyself the thanks if aught in me, 06. Worthy perusal stand against thy sight, 07. For who's so dumb that cannot write to thee, 08. When thou thyself dost give invention light? 09. Be thou the tenth Muse, ten times more in worth 10. Than those old nine which rhymers invocate, 11. And he that calls on thee, let him bring forth 12. Eternal numbers to outlive long date. 13. If my slight Muse do please these curious days, 14. The pain be mine, but thine shall be the praise. |
. Sonnet 38 . (paraphrased) 01. How could my Muse lack subject matter for creative writing 02. While you breathe out that which fills my verse: 03. The sweet subject of you, yourself, which is too excellent, 04. For any inferior writing to record. 05. Please do, give yourself the thanks, if anything from me, 06. Worth your perusal, can withstand your inspection; 07. Since, who could be so lacking in expression, that he couldn't write of you, 08. When you, yourself, are a guiding light for creativity? 09. You must be the tenth Muse, and worth ten times more 10. Than those ancient nine which poets invoke, 11. And the poet who calls upon you, lead him to produce 12. Immortal poems that outlive lengthy time, itself. 13. If my modest talent does please these exacting times, 14. The effort may be mine, but the praise shall be yours. |
|
Sonnet 38 Gloss
L1: want = lack. L1: subject = subject matter. L1: invent = create (literature.) L2: breathe = breathe out. Emit. In the sense of an aura, an atmosphere. L2: that = what; that which. L2: pour'st into = fills. L3: argument = subject. L4: every = any. (Note, to the right.) L4: vulgar paper = inferior writing. (Note, to the right.) L4: rehearse = record (for later repetition.) Describe. L6: Worthy = valuable. (Note, to the right.) L6: sight = view; opinion. Inspection. "Thy sight" = 'in your eyes.' L7: dumb = lacking expressive ability. L8: invention = literary creativity. L8: light = inspiration; guidance. The idea of being guided by a light. L10: old = ancient. L10: rhymers = poets (not necessarily writing in rhymed verse.) L10: invocate = invoke. L12: Eternal numbers = immortal poems. L12: long = lengthy. "Long date" = 'lengthy time, itself.' L13: slight = modest. L13: Muse = talent. L13: curious = exacting. Demanding. L13: please these curious days - (Note, to the right.) L14: pain = effort. |
Sonnet 38 Notes
Sonnet 38 is probably an early Sonnet from William Shakespeare to Edward de Vere. It is not Shakespeare at his height. "Thine shall be the praise" (line 14) would have applied, literally, when Shakespeare was one of Oxford's Men. That would place Sonnet 38 shortly after Sonnet 26, c. 1587. ------- L4: every = any. The concept is that the addressee is so inspiring, it simply would not be possible to do an inferior writing about him. Further, about line 4 overall: 04. For every vulgar paper to rehearse There's a secondary meaning, that any vulgar publication about the addressee should not be allowed, because of his excellence. L6: Worthy = valuable. The line can be interpreted as shown, from the original 1609 publication, but "worthy" is conceivably a minor misprint for "worth thy." The phrase "worth thy" would make excellent sense, and would scan better. L13: please these curious days "Pleasing the days" implies pleasing the public, but this Sonnet, itself, was apparently not written to be published at the time. So, something else is being referenced - probably theatrical performance, since Shakespeare was mainly a playwright. It is probably an allusion to Shakespeare's play writing, to please a demanding public. |
| Go to: the LIST of Sonnets page -|- or -|- the Sonnets INTRO page | Back to: Sonnet 37 -|- or -|- Ahead to: Sonnet 39 |
|
Go to the |
The Shakespeare Sonnets, courtesy of:
|
See ALL the Sonnets on one long page. |