Sonnet 85: My Tongue-tied Muse in Manners Holds Her Still
Sonnet 85: My Tongue-tied Muse in Manners Holds Her Still - meaning Summary
Silence as Deeper Praise
The speaker contrasts silent inward devotion with others' eloquent praise. He claims his "tongue-tied Muse" refrains from ornate expression while his thoughts are rich and faithful; though he cannot match polished verse, his unspoken love ranks before words. He asks to be judged not for verbal flourishes but for the sincerity of his "dumb thoughts" which effectively praise the beloved more truly than public praise.
Read Complete AnalysesMy tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still, While comments of your praise, richly compiled, Reserve their character with golden quill, And precious phrase by all the Muses filed. I think good thoughts, whilst other write good words, And like unlettered clerk still cry Amen To every hymn that able spirit affords In polished form of well-refinèd pen. Hearing you praised, I say ‘Tis so, ’tis true, And to the most of praise add something more; But that is in my thought, whose love to you, Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before. Then others for the breath of words respect, Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
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