Sonnet notes 22

Sonnet 82, lines 2-3: “And therefore mayst without attaint o’erlook/The dedicated words which writers use”

In the previous sonnet (#81), our poet took a break from denigrating the Rival Poet to remind the Young Man that he will immortalize him in his verse. He doesn’t say he’s the only one who can do this, but maybe he’s the only one who has thought to make the claim. (And he teasingly says he will make his name immortal without mentioning his name!) In any event, he’s back on the same rant, throwing dirt at his rival. First, though, he allows that the Young Man has every right to read what others write of him. But does his choice of words betray how he feels? Of course he may do so without attaint. There’s no dishonor in it since he’s not married to the poet’s Muse. He’s not married to the poet either. Their relationship is not that close. Is it? He has every right to invite other poets to write to him, doesn’t he? That couldn’t possibly be considered a stain, a blot on his honor. Nobody could accuse him of that. Certainly not our poet. Why he wouldn’t think of it. He uses only true plain words, and the word attaint hardly crossed his mind. If the Young Man wants to pay attention to a Rival Poet’s gross painting, what’s it to our poet? Just because the Young Man shows poor taste is no reason to attaint him. Right? Glad we cleared that up.