Shakespeare's Sonnet 78

So oft have I invoked thee for my Muse,And found such fair assistance in my verseAs every alien pen hath got my useAnd under thee their poesy disperse.Thine eyes, that taught the dumb on high to singAnd heavy ignorance aloft to fly,Have added feathers to the learned’s wingAnd given grace a double majesty.Yet be most proud of that which I compile,Whose influence is thine, and born of thee:In others’ works thou dost but mend the style,And arts with thy sweet graces graced be;But thou art all my art, and dost advanceAs high as learning, my rude ignorance.

I have called on you as my source of inspiration so often, and found such wonderful help in writing my poems, that every other poet has adopted my practice and publishes poetry inspired by you. Your eyes, which taught the speechless to sing out and made dull ignorance soar, have given educated poets stronger wings and made graceful writing twice as splendid. Yet take the greatest pride in what I write, since its inspiration is yours and it comes from you. In other people's works, you only improve their style, and your lovely qualities add beauty to their skill. But you are all my skill, and you raise my rough ignorance as high as anyone's learning.