Monday, June 08, 2009


Another Favorite Sonnet





XXIX.

When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

- William Shakespeare

The power of love was seldom greater than expressed in this sonnet. Starting with the phrase "Haply I think on thee," the sonnet soars and lifts this reader to an emotional high by the final line. I cannot help being moved tremendously every time that I read this sonnet.

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