Crossword Genius

Shakespeare as the honeyed flower of English poetry? (5,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sweet william

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shakespeare' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'the honeyed flower of english poetry?' is the wordplay.
'the honeyed' becomes 'sweet' (I've seen this in another clue).
'flower of english poetry?' becomes 'william' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'sweet'+'william'='SWEET-WILLIAM'

'as' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sweet william that I've seen before include "Garden pink -- Willie wet Sam (anag)" , "Eurasian plant with fragrant flowers" , "bloomer" , "Flower (nice boy!)" , "Flowering plant - Prince at sixteen?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.
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