While he insults o’er4 dull and speechless tribes:
And thou in this shalt find thy monument
When tyrants’ crests and tombs of brass are spent.
Note 1. Sonnet cvii. Shake-speare’s Sonnettes, 1609. This sonnet continues the celebration of his friend, according to Prof. Dowden’s interpretation, and rejoices in their restored affection. Mr. Massey explains it as a song of triumph for the death of Elizabeth, and the deliverance of Southampton from the Tower. “I interpret, as Mr. Simpson does” (Philosophy of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, p. 79), writes Prof. Dowden; “not my own fears (that my friend’s beauty may be on the wane, Sonnet civ., 9–4—see No. 545) nor the prophetic soul of the world, prophesying in the persons of dead knights and ladies your perfections (Sonnet civ.—see No. 122), and so prefiguring your death, can confine my lease of love to a brief term of years. Darkness and fears are past, the augurs of ill find their predictions falsified, doubts are over, peace has come in place of strife; love in my heart is fresh and young (see Sonnet cviii., line 9), and I have conquered Death, for in this verse we both shall find life in the memories of men.” [back]
Note 2. My love looks fresh: Prof. Dowden queries whether this means the love in my heart, or my love = my friend. [back]
Note 3. Death to me subscribes: submits. Cf. The Taming of the Shrew, act i. sc. 1, 81. [back]
Note 4. Insults o’er: triumphs over. Cf. 3 King Henry VI., act i. sc. 3, 14. [back]
