Theme: Rival Poet
Content: A stronger criticism of his Rival poet, and his patron, claiming that they both lose integrity by the Rival failing to keep true to his subject. Questionable whether this sonnet was actually sent due to the blunt criticism in the final couplet.
Who is it that says
most
which can say more
Than this rich praise:
that you alone are you,
In whose confine immured is the store
Which should example where your equal grew?
- "Integrity is important in the poems written about you rather than just saying anything for maximum effect."
- Links back to Sonnets 1-17 by describing the subject as a person of great store who should pass that on.
- Mid-line rhyme of says with praise.
- This is an or sonnet, employing several words that contain the word or that are mainly placed at the end of the line for extra emphasis: more…store…glory…story…worse…worse.
- The prevalence of or may be indicative of the choice the subject has: the author or the Rival.
- This is also a worse sonnet, repeatedly presenting that word both explicitly and anagrammatically, conveying the consequences of the subject opting for the Rival. Q1 has instances of anagrammatical worse: which can say more; store Which; even the opening Who is almost contains it.
- The you alone are you echoes the "I am that I am" of 121: simple assertion of the essence of what a person is without embellishment and paraphernalia.
Lean penury within
that pen doth dwell
That to his subject lends
not
some small glory;
But he that writes
of you, if he can tell
That you
are you, so dignifies
his story.
- "It is a poor poet that doesn't glorify his subject, but only integrity and honesty provides dignity."
- Mid-line rhyme of pen with lends.
- Reminder of the way the Rival lends glory rather than gives it as in 79.
- Pun on pen and penury and use of that pen points to that shortcoming being in the Rival.
- writes of you contains an anagram of worse.
- Heavy emphasis on you continues from Q1.
Let him
but copy what in you is writ,
Not making worse
what nature made so clear,
And such a counterpart shall fame his wit,
Making his style admired everywhere.
- "The poet must be true to his subject, not spoil it by overheaping praise, and he will be better regarded by doing so."
- you is writ contains an anagram of wors(e).
- worse is now explicitly stated for the first time in association with him, the Rival.
You to your
beauteous blessings add a curse,
Being fond on praise, which makes your
praises worse.
- Very strong final couplet personally criticising his subject's vanity that exaggerates, and therefore cheapens, the value of the praise they receive.
- Heavy final use of you again.
Critical text © NigelDavies.home@Virgin.net