| Return to Shakespeare's Sonnet 85 |
1. in manners holds her still: politely keeps silent.
2. comments: elaborations. compiled: composed.
3. Reserve their character with golden quill / And precious phrase by all the Muses fil'd: i.e., keep their character by being written with a golden pen and ingenious phraseology polished by all the Muses. I believe that Shakespeare is sarcastically imitating the bombastic manner of other poets.
5. other: others.
6. unletter'd clerk: illiterate assistant to a priest.
10. most: utmost.
11. that: i.e., that which I add. in my thought: i.e., silent.
12. before: i.e., before all others; in first place. The "his" refers back to "love to you."
13. respect: take notice of; regard.
14. speaking in effect: having the same effect as speaking.