SONNET
29
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.
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PARAPHRASE
When I’ve fallen out of favor with
fortune and men,
All alone I weep over my position
as a social outcast,
And pray to heaven, but my cries
go unheard,
And I look at myself, cursing my
fate,
Wishing I were like one who had
more hope,
Wishing I looked like him; wishing I were surrounded by
friends,
Wishing I had this man's skill and
that man's freedom.
I am least contented with what I
used to enjoy most.
But, with these thoughts – almost
despising myself,
I, by chance, think of you and
then my melancholy
Like the lark at the break of day,
rises
From the dark earth and (I) sing
hymns to heaven;
For thinking of your love brings
such happiness
That then I would not change my
position in life with kings.
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