Poetry Corner: Sonnet II by Shakespeare

Monday, May 23, 2011

I have lately decided that I need to start reading more Shakespeare. I went through a phase in high school where I read tons of the plays one summer, but I didn't get much out of the experience because I had no idea what I was reading. Because I'm pretty sure I will still have no idea what I am reading, I am working my ways through the sonnets before I attempt anything else. I've only read two so far, and this is Sonnet 2. I had to include it because my brother has been trying to convince me for years to get married and have children (he really wants to be an uncle). I should mention at this point that I am 23 - my biological clock isn't ticking too loudly yet. I just married in to nieces and nephews - I have ten, all from my husband's family. Sorry Jace, I won't be having any kids just yet. But I dedicate this poem to you.


When forty winters shall beseige thy brow,
And dig deep trenches in thy beauty's field,
Thy youth's proud livery, so gazed on now,
Will be a tatter'd weed, of small worth held:
Then being ask'd where all thy beauty lies,
Where all the treasure of thy lusty days,
To say, within thine own deep-sunken eyes,
Were an all-eating shame and thriftless praise.
How much more praise deserved thy beauty's use,
If thou couldst answer 'This fair child of mine
Shall sum my count and make my old excuse,'
Proving his beauty by succession thine!
This were to be new made when thou art old,
And see thy blood warm when thou feel'st it cold.

1 comment:

  1. I just bought a copy of The Sonnets because I wanted to start easing my way into Shakespeare! Weird :)

    I don't blame you btw - I'm 24 and I don't want kids. And early 20's just seems too young to be having kids! I still feel like I'm 19 instead of 24.

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