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. Sonnet 85 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still, 02. While comments of your praise, richly compil'd, 03. Reserve their Character with golden quill, 04. And precious phrase by all the Muses fil'd. 05. I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words, 06. And like unlettered clerk still cry Amen, 07. To every Hymn that able spirit affords, 08. In polished form of well-refined pen. 09. Hearing you praised, I say 'tis so, 'tis true, 10. And to the most of praise add something more, 11. But that is in my thought, whose love to you 12. (Though words come hindmost) holds his rank before, 13. Then others, for the breath of words respect, 14. Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect. |
. Sonnet 85 . (paraphrased) 01. My abashed Muse, out of politeness, keeps silent, 02. While descriptions in praise of you, richly assembled, 03. Save their impressions of you, in writing, written by talented authors, 04. And in precious phrases inspired by all the various Muses; 05. I think good thoughts of you, while others write good words of you, 06. And as if I'm only an illiterate parish clerk, during a church service, I always cry "Amen!" 07. To every paean to you that an able poet can offer, 08. In polished verse, from his impeccable pen. 09. When I hear you praised, I say, "it's so, it's true," 10. And to the highest of praise I add something more, 11. But what I add is in my thoughts, whose love for you 12. (Though my words trail those of others) holds first place; 13. So, respect others for the words they write, 14. But respect me for my silent thoughts, which do speak in effect. |
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Sonnet 85 Gloss
L1: tongue-tied = abashed; shy. L1: holds = keeps. L2: comments = descriptions L2: compil'd = composed; assembled. L3: Reserve = save. L3: Character = impression. Probably capitalized in the original because of reference to the addressee, since the descriptions are of the addressee. L4: fil'd = filed = assorted; various. (Note, to the right.) L5: other = other poets. L6: unlettered = illiterate. L6: clerk = parish clerk. A layman functionary in the church, not necessarily a literate man. L7: Hymn = verse of praise; paean. L7: spirit = soul; person. Poet. "Able spirit" can also be understood as "capable vitality," as opposed to the Poet's self-effacement. L7: affords = offers. L8: well-refined = impeccable. "Impeccable" is probably the best equivalent, since it comes from a root meaning of "absence of sin" and the Sonnet has a religious tone. L10: most = highest. L12: rank = place. |
Sonnet 85 Notes
L4: fil'd = filed = assorted; various. The word has reference to sorting things in files, not to the file type of tool. "Muses fil'd" = assorted Muses; various Muses. The precious phrases are inspired by all the various Muses. It can also be interpreted that the written praises of the addressee pass in file before the Muses, who review them, like watching a parade. Lines 11 and 12 can then be understood that the Poet's love leads the parade of praise for the addressee, although his words trail it. |
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