Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 85
85
My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
Whilst comments of your praise, richly compil'd,
Reserve their character with golden quill,
And precious phrase by all the Muses fil'd. 4
I think good thoughts, while others write good words,
And, like unletter'd clerk, still cry 'Amen'
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polish'd form of well-refined pen. 8
Hearing you prais'd, 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. 12
Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
1 in manners: modestly
2 richly compil'd: composed in an elaborate style
3 Reserve their character; cf. n.
4 precious: carefully wrought
fil'd: polished
7 that able spirit; cf. n.
12 Though words . . . before; cf. n.
rank: place in line
13 respect: esteem
14 speaking in effect: which virtually speak