Anton Lesser reads Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare | Readings from the Rose

Find out more about Readings from the Rose at bit.ly/RoseReadings.

Sonnet 29, by William Shakespeare
Read by Anton Lesser

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.

In these unprecedented times, the Rose is relying on donations more than ever. If you would like to donate, you can do so at bit.ly/Rose-Donate.