less wise than true
-- Speaker (Line 3)

Importance: This line describes the poet’s real-life relationships with well-meaning friends who, allegedly, submitted her work for publication without her consent. In this moment, the speaker acknowledges the intentions of her loved ones. Although their actions were misguided, or “unwise”, those actions were born out of loyalty and love. By landing the line on this adjective, the speaker admits her own affection.

Where errors were not lessened (all may judg).
-- Speaker (Line 6)

Importance: This line, which uses an archaic phonetic spelling, illustrates the speaker’s self-consciousness regarding her work. There’s a sense that she anticipates judgement from her peers, and so preemptively acknowledges the flaws in the work herself. This is also the first line to close on an end stop, suggesting a moment of deliberation and assessment on the part of those watching.

I wash’d thy face, but more defects I saw, / And rubbing off a...
-- Speaker (Lines 13-14)