Notes for Shakespeare's Sonnet 146


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Shakespeare's
Sonnet
146

1. sinful earth: i.e., the body.

2. [....]: In the 1609 quarto, this line begins with the apparently inadvertent repetition of the last three words of Line 1. Thrall to, fooled by, and feeding are three of the conjectural restorations of the lost foot.   these rebel powers: i.e., rebellious flesh and blood.   array: clothe.

3. dearth: i.e., a lack; shortage.

5. cost: amount.

6. mansion: dwelling (the body).

8. charge: expense; (that on which you have expended so much).

9. thy servant's loss: your body's loss.

10. that: i.e., the body.   pine: starve; dwindle.   aggravate thy store: enrich your resources.

11. Buy terms divine in selling hours of dross: i.e., Buy long terms of divine salvation in exchange for wasted hours on earth.