Sonnet 7: Lo, in the Orient When the Gracious Light
Sonnet 7: Lo, in the Orient When the Gracious Light - meaning Summary
Legacy Against Transience
The sonnet compares the sun’s daily arc to a person’s life and reputation. In morning and midday the sun is admired, but as it declines observers turn away. Shakespeare uses this natural cycle to argue that beauty and fame fade; without offspring to carry one’s image forward, praise will end. The closing couplet urges procreation as a means to preserve one’s name and memory against time.
Read Complete AnalysesLo, in the orient when the gracious light Lifts up his burning head, each under eye Doth homage to his new-appearing sight, Serving with looks his sacred majesty; And having climbed the steep-up heavenly hill, Resembling strong youth in his middle age, Yet mortal looks adore his beauty still, Attending on his golden pilgrimage; But when from highmost pitch, with weary car, Like feeble age, he reeleth from the day, The eyes, ‘fore duteous, now converted are From his low tract and look another way. So thou, thyself outgoing in thy noon, Unlooked on diest, unless thou get a son.
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