In Drayton’s sonnet, the speaker directly answers people who call his love overblown and his praises foolish. He marshals reason against them, arguing that although he gives more than he can afford, that expense brings him treble gain. While his critics see waste, he sees profit — they simply lack the skill to value what he offers. For him, the real fool is the one who cannot spot a bargain of the heart. The central challenge asks whether he, who receives so much, or they, who refuse to give at all, are truly deceived. The mood is self-assured, even a touch smug; he’s not defensive but confidently redefines the terms. His final maxim — that circumstance makes anything good or ill — transforms his personal defense into a universal rule. In the right setting, loving too much is simply wise.
Sonnet XXVIII: To Such As Say — Summary
To such as say thy love I overprize, And do not stick to term my praises folly, Against these folks, that think themselves so wise, I thus oppose my Reason's forces wholly, Though I give more than well affords my state, In which expense the most suppose me vain, Which yields them nothing at the easiest rate, Yet at this price returns me treble gain. They value not, unskillful how to use, And I give much, because I gain thereby; I that thus take, or they that thus refuse, Whether are these deceived then, or I? In everything I hold this maxim still: The circumstance doth make it good or ill.