Sonnet 78: So Oft Have I Invoked Thee for My Muse
Sonnet 78: So Oft Have I Invoked Thee for My Muse - meaning Summary
Praise of the Fair Youth
Sonnet 78 praises the Fair Youth as the speaker’s singular creative source. The poet claims other writers borrow the youth’s influence to refine their style, yet their work remains derivative. By contrast the speaker’s verse is born directly from the youth’s inspiration, which elevates his own ignorance into art. The poem asserts the youth’s unique power to teach, ennoble, and transform language and learning into grace.
Read Complete AnalysesSo oft have I invoked thee for my Muse, And found such fair assistance in my verse As every alien pen hath got my use, And under thee their poesy disperse. Thine eyes, that taught the dumb on high to sing, And heavy ignorance aloft to fly, Have added feathers to the learnèd’s wing And given grace a double majesty. Yet be most proud of that which I compile, Whose influence is thine, and born of thee. In others’ works thou dost but mend the style, And arts with thy sweet graces gracèd be. But thou art all my art, and dost advance As high as learning my rude ignorance.
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