Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 29
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes I all alone beweep my outcast state, And trouble deaf heav'n 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.
When I have bad luck and people think little of me
All alone, I cry about being unwanted,
And disturb heaven with cries that fall on deaf ears,
And I look at my life and curse my fate,
Wishing I were someone with better prospects,
Someone with a beautiful face or many friends,
Desiring one man's skill or another's range of skills,
Satisfied least by the things I actually possess;
But when I most hate myself for these thoughts,
By good fortune I think about you, and then I feel
Like the lark at the break of day rising
From the gloomy earth to sing in the skies
The memory of your sweet love brings such richness to me
That in that moment I would not change place with kings.
