Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 78
For other versions of this work, see Sonnet 78 (Shakespeare).
78
So oft have I invok'd thee for my Muse
And found such fair assistance in my verse
As every alien pen hath got my use
And under thee their poesy disperse. 4
Thine eyes, that taught the dumb on high to sing
And heavy ignorance aloft to fly,
Have added feathers to the learned's wing
And given grace a double majesty. 8
Yet be most proud of that which I compile,
Whose influence is thine, and born of thee:
In others' works thou dost but mend the style,
And arts with thy sweet graces graced be; 12
But thou art all my art, and dost advance
As high as learning my rude ignorance.
1–14 Cf. n.
3 As: that
use: habit
4 under thee: under thy patronage
disperse: spread abroad
9 compile: compose
10 influence: inspiration
13 advance: raise