William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet LXXIII
So oft have
I invoked 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.
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.
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;
But thou art all my art, and dost advance
As high as learning, my rude ignorance.
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