Sonnet 25

Let those who are in favor with their stars,

Of publike honour and proud titles bost,

Whilst I whome fortune of such tryumph bars

Unlookt for joy in that I honour most;

Great Princes favorites their faire leaves spread,

But as the Marygold at the suns eye,

And in them-selves their pride lies buried,

For at a frowne they in their glory die.

The paineful warrier famosed for might,

After a thousand victories once foild,

Is from the booke of honour rased quite,

And all the rest forgot for which he toild:

Then happy I that love and am beloved

Where I may not remove, nor be removed.

Commentary

Address to a loving young man

Changes to the original text: line 9, 'worth' changed to 'might'. 'Might' is chosen rather than 'fight' firstly because it is more likely that 'worth' was read for 'might' than 'fight', and secondly because 'famosed for fight' is distinctly difficult and unpoetic, verging on the ridiculous.

In the first quatrain, the poet observes that though he is not fortunate to be preferred with public honours, he is more fortunate to have that which is more important to him: the young man's love.

In the second quatrain, the poet likens the good fortune of men who wait on great princes to the life of the marigold, which, as soon as the sun disappears, fold themselves up. Likewise the courtier when the prince frowns.

In the third quatrain, the poet points out that the warrior is only loved as long as he is victorious.

The final couplet expresses the thought that the poet is very happy because his relationship with the young man is stable.

Or is it?

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