SONNET 25 Let those who are in favour with their stars
Of public honour and proud titles boast,
Whilst I, whom fortune of such triumph bars
Unlook'd for joy in that I honour most.
Great princes' favourites their fair leaves spread
But as the marigold at the sun'seye,
And in themselves their pride lies buried,
For at a frown they in their glory die.
The painful warrior famoused for fight,
After a thousand victories once foiled,
Is from the book of honour razed quite,
And all the rest forgot for whichhe toiled:
Then happy I, that love and am beloved,
Where I may not remove nor be removed. The poet reflects on the vagaries of fortune, and how those who enjoy high estate and public favour are at the mercy of the power of princes. Even the most famous warriors and leaders can suddenly fall into disfavour, especially if fortune turns against them, for then all their former victories are forgotten, and spiteful oblivion erases their name fromthe roll of honour.
But, says the poet, my conditionis much more blessed, for I live in the heart of my beloved, and I cannot be moved from that seat, nor he from me.
One of the interests of this sonnet is that the mention of the warrior famoused for fight in l.9 might be linked to a historical person, such as Sir Francis Drake d.1596, the Earl ofEssex (beheaded 1601), Sir Walter Raleigh, (in disgrace c. 1602), the Earl of Southampton (imprisoned in 1601 for his part in the Essex rebellion). But as there are so many potential candidates, the greater probability is that it is a general reference based on stories fromNorth's Plutarch, or from Homer, where the mythical thousand victories might be more plausible To rail or jest ye know I use it not Tho' that such cause sometimein folks I find; And tho' to change ye list to set your mind, Love it who list, in faith I like it not. And if ye were to me as ye are not, I would be loath to see you so unkind. But since your faith must needs be so, be kind, Though I hate it, I pray you love it not. Things of great weight I never thought to crave: This is but small: of right deny it not. Your feigning ways as yet forget them not, But like reward let other lovershave. That is to say: for service true and fast To long delays and changing at the last. To rayle or jest ye know I use it not Tho that such cause somtyme in folkes I finde : And tho to chaunge ye list to sett your mind, Love yt who list, in faithe I like yt not. And if ye ware to me as ye are not, I would be lothe to se you sounkinde ; But sins your faith muste nedes be so, be kinde, Though I hate it, I praye you love yt not. Thinges of grete waight I never thought to crave : This is but small : of right denye it not : Your fayning wayis as yet forget them not, But like rewarde let other lovers have. That is to saye : for servis true and faste To long delaies and chaunging at the laste. NOTES rail = harangue.I use it not = I am not in the habit of.ye list to set your mind = you are desirous of.Love it who list = let those who wish praise it if they must.in faith - a mild oath. I like it not- i.e. I do not like your fickleness. And if ye were etc. = if you were my beloved, though indeed you no longer are. unkind = unnatural, cruel. kind= natural, like yourself (i.e. remain fickle, so that you may hurt other lovers as you have hurt me, as lines 12-14 explain).fast = steadfast, constant.to long delays - i.e. subject themto long delays.
