Sonnet 1 Sonnet 3 Sonnet 12 Sonnet 18 Sonnet 19 Sonnet 20 Sonnet 29 Sonnet 30 Sonnet 33 Sonnet 55 Sonnet 60 Sonnet 65 Sonnet 71 Sonnet 73 Sonnet 94 Sonnet 106 Sonnet 116 Sonnet 126 Sonnet 127 Sonnet 129 Sonnet 130 Sonnet 138 Sonnet 144 Sonnet 146 Sonnet 147

Sonnet 29

Original Text

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,

Modern English

When I'm out of favor with fortune and in the world's bad graces, I sit alone and weep over how cast out I feel, and send my useless prayers up to a heaven that doesn't listen, and look at my own life and curse what it's become,

Original Text

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, Featur’d 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;

Modern English

wishing I could be like someone with better prospects, like him with his looks, like that one with his circle of friends, wanting this man's talent, that man's freedom and reach, least content with the very things I should enjoy most —

Original Text

Yet in these thoughts my self 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;

Modern English

yet even deep in those thoughts, nearly hating myself, I happen to think of you, and suddenly my spirit, like a lark bursting upward at the break of day out of the dull earth, sings at the very gates of heaven.

Original Text

For thy sweet love remember’d such wealth brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Modern English

Because remembering your sweet love brings such wealth with it that I wouldn't trade places with a king.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Sonnet 29

Sonnet 29