Shakespeare's Sonnet 85

My tongue-tied Muse in manners holds her still,While comments of your praise richly compil’d,Reserve their character with golden quill,And precious phrase by all the Muses fil’d.I think good thoughts, whilst others write good words,And like unlettered 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.

My speechless inspiration politely stays quiet while richly composed tributes to you preserve their words in golden writing and precious phrases polished by all the sources of poetic inspiration. I think good thoughts while others write good words. Like a church clerk who cannot read, I keep saying “Amen” to every hymn that talented poet produces in the polished form of his refined writing. Hearing you praised, I say, “That's right, that's true,” and add something even to the highest praise. But that addition is in my thoughts, whose love for you ranks first even though my words come last. So value others for the words they speak, and me for my silent thoughts, which speak through actions.