As in Sonnet 50, this speaker continues the use of the horse metaphor, as he explores the contrast between body and soul.
First Quatrain: “Thus can my love excuse the slow offence”
That Sonnet 51 continues the idea posed in Sonnet 50 is implicit in the coordinating adverb, “thus,” which begins the opening clause, “Thus can my love excuse the slow offence.” The “slow offence” is inherent in the nature of the physical as opposed to the mental or spiritual. As thought can silently but swiftly move far distances, a physical entity takes great effort and time.
The speaker’s body is metaphorically likened to a beast of burden, that is, a horse that carries a rider. The body is a “dull bearer.” When the speaker tries to “speed” from his muse, his body is a mere impediment that only the mind or soul can transcend. The speaker then questions, “From where thou art why should I haste me thence?” And then remarks that sending a letter is not necessary. Sometimes this speaker likes to insert a measure of levity into his commentary.
Second Quatrain: “O! what excuse will my poor beast then find”
In the second quatrain, the speaker alludes to Pegasus, the winged-horse symbol of poetry, to ask, “what excuse will my poor beast then find, / When swift extremity can seem but slow?” Even the swiftness of thought will seem slow when the speaker’s mind is moving away from his muse.
Riding the winged horse finds no motion, though the speaker seems to ride the wind. Despite airy, high-flown thoughts, he makes no headway when he deigns to flee his muse.
Third Quatrain: “Then can no horse with my desire keep pace”
Again, in the third quatrain, the speaker avers, “no horse with my desire [can] keep pace.” His slow body cannot match his swift mind, even if the desire is ensconced as “perfect'st love.” Even though the “dull flesh” like a horse “[s]hall neigh” through a “fiery race,” his love, that is, the love that is from the soul, “shall excuse my jade.” Though he becomes world-weary or jaded, his pure soul will transcend that dismal state.
The Couplet: “Since from thee going, he went wilful-slow”
The speaker declares that from the body’s reckoning of slow and stubborn movement from his muse, he will choose to traverse the field swiftly home toward his muse. He will allow the body to sink into silent tranquility, and he will live in his soul. In the tranquility of the soul resides the muse, and this speaker’s duty is to his muse.
This speaker is happiest when he is thinking of love; he is most content when he is creating his sonnet worlds that hold his love, precious letters from his soul. The impediment of the beast of burden, horse-like body, cannot hold sway over the immortal soul.
Other Shakespeare articles: Who is Shakespeare?
Sonnet Commentaries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 73, 96, 116, 126, 130, 138
