Metaphor in Sonnet 106

“Divining” means to have supernatural or magical insight into future events. This metaphor connects the eyes of the ancient poets to the speaker’s gaze on the youth. All of their perceptions of their individual love objects were moments in which they would peer into the future and witness the true beauty of the youth.

The speaker refers to past love poetry through the metonym of the “antique pen.” The word “antique” ages the work in a somewhat negative light. The speaker is subtly labeling all past love poems outdated.