1. survive . . . day: i.e., outlive me. my well-contented day: the day of my death, when I shall be well contented to die.

1. by fortune once more re-survey: by chance once more look over.

5. the bettering of the time: i.e., the improved writing of that future time.

7. Reserve: preserve, cherish. rhyme: i.e., poetic excellence.

8. height: high (poetic) achievement. happier: more gifted.

10. Had my friend's Muse grown with this growing age: i.e., if my friend's poetic skill had grown in tune with this period of time which encourages growth in all human endeavors. —Shakespeare here reflects the pride of a Renaissance man in the achievements of his own time.

11. A dearer birth than this his love had brought : i.e., a more precious (poetic) creation that this (poem) would have been inspired by his love (of me).

12. better equipage: better (military) equipment and dress; metaphorically, more striking literary productions.

13. poets better prove : i.e., poets (who have come later than my friend) have proved to be better poets than my friend was.