Sonnet 52

So am I as the rich whose blessed key,

Can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure,

The which he will not ev'ry hower survey,

For blunting the fine point of seldome pleasure.

Therefore are feasts so sollemne and so rare,

Since sildom comming in the long yeare set,

Like stones of worth they thinly placed are,

Or captaine Jewells in the carconet.

So is the time that keepes you as my chest,

Or as the ward-robe which the robe doth hide,

To make some special instant speciall blest,

By new unfoulding his imprison'd pride.

Blessed are you whose worthinesse gives skope,

Being had to tryumph, being lackt to hope.

Commentary

Address to an absent beloved

In the first quatrain, the poet likens himself to the rich man who has a key which will open the casket of his locked-up treasure. But he will not use it often in order to preserve its potency.

In the second quatrain, the poet observes that feast days are rare in the year, and that it is this that preserves their solemnity. A 'carconet' is a necklace or jewelled collar.

In the third quatrain, the poet compares the loved one to a chest or wardrobe in which he (the loved one) is contained to be displayed only on special occasions.

In the final couplet, the poet indicates that he (the poet) is blessed because he (the poet) triumphs when he has him (the beloved), and he (the poet) hopes when he has him (the beloved) not.

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