William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Sonnet XXIX: When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men's Eyes
1When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
2I all alone beweep my outcast state
3And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
4And look upon myself and curse my fate,
5Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
6Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,
7Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
8With what I most enjoy contented least;
9Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
10Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
11Like to the lark at break of day arising
12From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
13For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
14That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: William Shakespeare, Shake-speares sonnets (London: G. Eld for T. T., 1609). STC 22353. Facs. edn.: London: J. Cape, 1925. PR 2750 B48 1609b ROBA.
First publication date:
1609
RPO poem editor: F. D. Hoeniger
RP edition: 3RP 1.139.
Recent editing: 2:2002/3/28
Form: sonnet
Rhyme: ababcdcdefefgg
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