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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 101

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Shakespeare's Sonnets - Sonnet 101
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Sonnet 101

101

Synopsis:

Continuing from s. 100, this poem has the muse tell the poet that the beloved needs no praise. The poet responds that the poems are for the edification of future ages.

 
O truant muse, what shall be thy amends
For thy neglect of truth in beauty dyed?
Both truth and beauty on my love depends;
4So dost thou too, and therein dignified.
Make answer, muse. Wilt thou not haply say
“Truth needs no color with his color fixed,
Beauty no pencil beauty’s truth to lay;
8But best is best if never intermixed”?
Because he needs no praise, wilt thou be dumb?
Excuse not silence so, for ’t lies in thee
To make him much outlive a gilded tomb
12And to be praised of ages yet to be.
 Then do thy office, muse; I teach thee how
 To make him seem long hence as he shows now.