Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea
But sad mortality o’er-sways their power,
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
O, how shall summer’s honey breath hold out
Against the wreckful siege of battering days,
When rocks impregnable are not so stout,
Nor gates of steel so strong, but time decays?
O fearful meditation! where, alack,
Shall time’s best jewel from time’s chest lie hid?
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
O, none, unless this miracle have might,
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.
William Shakespeare
My favorite part in this Shakespeare sonnet is the third and fourth lines, "How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, Whose action is no stronger than a flower?" Everything falls to time, even strong and mighty things like brass, stone, earth, sea, rocks, steel. How can beauty survive? And yet it does. It's amazing how strong beauty is, really, especially when you consider that its action is no stronger than a flower. Four hundred years later, Shakespeare's love still shines bright "in black ink."
These have been some pretty "battering days" recently, and I am so grateful for the beauty around me and for its power to make everything better.
Here's this week's roundup.
9 comments:
Thank goodness Will's beautiful "black ink" still survives! Thanks for sharing this, Ruth.
It's been a while since I've read a Shakespeare sonnet. I've been meaning to browse some to choose some Shakespeare to memorize before I go to England. This one looks like a good choice. Thank goodness for beauty that prevails against the rage.
My favorite lib=nes as well. How lovely to read dear old Will this Poetry Friday, Ruth. Thank you!
So long ago written, so up-to-date for us, Ruth. Thank you!
Such time and care he took with every line. He is every green day well-spent in books.
Your photograph pairs well with Shakespeare's line. First time I read those words--thank you for sharing.
It is a mighty miracle!
Thanks Ruth, for sharing Shakespeare's timeless beautiful poem–how we need beauty today even more.
Yes, yes, yes. Let's keep our eye on the beauty and remember what's truly important.
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