SONNET 53	PARAPHRASE
What is your substance? Whereof are you made,	What are you made of? How are you made
That millions of strange shadows on you tend,	that millions of shadows attend you,
Since every one hath, every one, one shade,	since everyone else has just one,
And you but one, can every shadow lend?	and you who are only one can have so many?
Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit	A portrait of Adonis
Is poorly imitated after you;	is just a poor copy of you;
On Helen's cheek all art of beauty set,	The portait of Helen's (Helen of Troy) incomparable beauty
And you in Grecian tires are painted new;	painted with the skill of the ancient Greeks would be a new portrait of you;
Speak of the spring, and foison of the year,	The Spring and its abundance,
The one doth shadow of your beauty show,	is just a shadow of your beauty,
The other as your bounty doth appear,	and the bounty of Fall
And you in every blessed shape we know.	is yours.
In all external grace you have some part,	You have a share of every beauty,
But you like none, none you, for constant heart.	but none have your unswerving heart.