Sonnet 37: as a Decrepit Father Takes Delight
Sonnet 37: as a Decrepit Father Takes Delight - meaning Summary
Love Nourished by Another
The speaker likens himself to a decrepit father who finds delight and identity in an active child. Though diminished by Fortune, he takes comfort and restoration in the Fair Youth’s beauty, birth, wealth, and wit. The beloved’s qualities become a sustaining “substance” for the speaker, who lives vicariously through that abundance. The sonnet affirms self-renewal and happiness derived from another person’s excellence.
Read Complete AnalysesAs a decrepit father takes delight To see his active child do deeds of youth, So I, made lame by Fortune’s dearest spite, Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth. For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit, Or any of these all, or all, or more, Entitled in thy parts, do crownèd sit, I make my love engrafted to this store. So then I am not lame, poor, nor despised, Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give That I in thy abundance am sufficed And by a part of all thy glory live. Look what is best, that best I wish in thee. This wish I have; then ten times happy me!
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