Return to Shakespeare's Sonnet 32 |
1.
survive . . . day: i.e., outlive me. my well-contented day: the day of my death, when I shall be well contented to die.
1.
by fortune once more re-survey: by chance once more look over.
5.
the bettering of the time: i.e., the improved writing of that future time.
7.
Reserve: preserve, cherish. rhyme: i.e., poetic excellence.
8.
height: high (poetic) achievement. happier: more gifted.
10.
Had my friend's Muse grown with this growing age: i.e., if my friend's poetic skill had grown in tune with this period of time which encourages growth in all human endeavors. Shakespeare here reflects the pride of a Renaissance man in the achievements of his own time.
11.
A dearer birth than this his love had brought : i.e., a more precious (poetic) creation that this (poem) would have been inspired by his love (of me).
12.
better equipage: better (military) equipment and dress; metaphorically, more striking literary productions.
13.
poets better prove : i.e., poets (who have come later than my friend) have proved to be better poets than my friend was.