Just about a year ago, I did a reading of William Shakespeare’s magnificent Sonnet 29. It was mostly an experiment to find out if, well, I could pull it off.
It didn’t sound terribly bad when I did it, so I posted it to Soundcloud. I think it got a couple of hits.
To hear me reading the Swan of Avon, click above.
But, this week, I stumbled across the recording again. I thought I might combine it with some animation and republish it.
And, besides...it is in honor of my wife's birthday, and she for me the Lady of The Sonnet.
If you want to read the actual text, here it is in the Bard’s own words:
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 possessed,
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 remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
*
Until next time…
Onward and Upward.
~mjt
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