The speaker in Shakespeare sonnet 67 addresses the Cosmic Presence. He wants to underscore the incongruity of such a perfect talent as his existing in such a flawed world. He may seem somewhat arrogant, yet he knows that his talent is from the Perfect Eternal.
Poets in every age have decried the presence of their inferiors. While true poets delight in those of equal talent, they cringe at the poetasters who offer only a “shadow” art.
First Quatrain: “Ah! wherefore with infection should he live”
The speaker asks, why should it be that this perfect being exist in a flawed, degenerate world? The presence of this talent “grace[s] impiety,” and when “sin” associates itself with that talent, it gains “advantage.”
Within this question, the reader can infer a range of possible reasons why the poetasters are permitted by the Vast Cosmic Artist. Without the contrast of skillful vs clumsy, good art would not be visible or appreciated. Also, the competitive spirit winnows out the wheat from the shaft.
Second Quatrain: “Why should false painting imitate his cheek”
The speaker then asks, “Why those less talents be able to copy from him? Why should lesser poets be able to emulate his style, when he alone has the authentic style?
Although the speaker is annoyed that lesser lights are able to spark a flicker because of him, his question still reveals the drama that ensues from the dualities. On the earth plane of existence, the dualities are always a fact to be reckoned with.
Third Quatrain: “Why should he live, now Nature bankrupt is”
The speaker then queries, “Why should he even care that others cause calamity by their lifeless imitations?”
The speaker is aware that the poetasters will always be there, pouring forth their dreck and doggerel. And although he is especially proud of his own talent, he fashions his criticism from a point of view of one who is harmed by these scoundrels.
The Couplet: “O! him she stores, to show what wealth she had”
In the couplet, the speaker offers his answer: Nature depends on the true poet, the one of talent, and as long as the genuinely talented offer plenty of their creations, Nature can encompass the non-talented as well.
Nature will always be able to point to the true poet to “show what wealth she had.” Even though art may degenerate through the activity of poetasters, true art will always he available as long as the true poet creates.
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, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 73, 96, 116, 126, 130, 138, 146
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