Sonnet 85
My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
silence
rivalry
devotion
praise
My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,
While comments of your praise, richly compiled,
Reserve their character with golden quill
And precious phrase by all the Muses filed.
I think good thoughts whilst other write good words,
And like unletter'd clerk still cry 'Amen'
To every hymn that able spirit affords
In polish'd form of well-refined pen.
Hearing you praised, I say ''Tis so, 'tis true,'
And to the most of praise add something more;
But that is in my thought, whose love to you,
Though words come hindmost, holds his rank before.
Then others for the breath of words respect,
Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.
What It Means
The rival's Muse speaks up with gold-plated praise. Shakespeare's Muse stays quiet. But in his mind, Shakespeare is the one truly paying tribute — silently, in thought. The rival writes hymns; Shakespeare says 'Amen.' He is the congregation, not the preacher. But his devotion is genuine; the preacher's may not be.
Context
Part of the Rival Poet group (78–86). The religious metaphor is an interesting choice in this secular context.
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