Return to Shakespeare's Sonnet 78 |
1.
Muse: a guiding spirit; source of inspiration.
2.
fair: beautiful, giving promise of success.
3.
As: that. This completes the "So oft" with which the poem begins. The whole idea can be paraphrased as follows: "In my poetry I have so often invoked thee that other poets are imitating me and proclaiming that you have inspired them, too." every alien pen: i.e., other poets. got my use: adopted my practice.
4.
under thee: under your patronage. disperse: circulate.
5.
dumb: lacking the power of speech. on high: aloud.
6.
aloft to fly: i.e., to get off the ground. Normally, "heavy ignorance" stays on the ground, repeating clichés like chickens scratching in the dirt.
7.
added feathers to the learned's wing: i.e., enabled learned poets who were already making high flights, fly higher.
8.
grace: majesty.
9.
compile: compose.
10.
influence: inspiration.
11.
mend: adjust; set right.
12.
arts: literary culture; learning. graces: pleasing qualities.
13.
advance: lift up.
14.
learning: advanced knowledge, wisdom. rude: uncultivated, unlearned.