Jim Culleny blogged this one at 3 Quarks Daily yesterday, and glad I am of it.
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,
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:
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 remember’d such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings’.
Late last night I felt like the first nine lines; it was not a good weekend.
After reading the poem today, I made a mental list of all the “thees” whose love has at some time or another carried me through dark times. Remembering them, I give thanks.
(I also give thanks to Jim for blogging it and to Shakespeare for writing it.)
And then I take steps — small, faltering but forwards — toward both being worthy of that love and returning it with interest.
Yeah, it’s a beauty — glad you like it :-)
I remember thinking in high school that the imagery was a bit overwrought — but have later discovered that, when you’re really feeling down, it’s quite accurate.
WOW! Thanks to you too for blogging it, otherwise I wouldn’t have come across that particular poem!!!
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