Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crowned,
Crooked eclipses ‘gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty’s brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature’s truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope, my verse shall stand
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
Sonnet 60 in modern English
Just as the waves push toward the pebbled shore, our minutes hasten toward their end, each moment replacing the one that went before, straining against each other to move forward in successive effort. Once born, creatures crawl from that pre-birth ocean of light to maturity, facing cruel eclipses that obstruct their glory, and Time, that gives, begins to destroy its own gifts. Time pierces the flowering cast of youth and digs deep lines in beauty’s forehead: feeds on the most exquisite of nature’s specimens, and there’s nothing that its scythe won’t mow. And yet my verses will last to be read by future generations, praising your worth in spite of Time’s cruel hand.
Watch Sir Patrick Stewart read Shakespeare’s sonnet 60
The 1609 Quarto sonnet 60 version
LIke as the waues make towards the pibled ſhore,
So do our minuites haſten to their end,
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In ſequent toile all forwards do contend.
Natiuity once in the maine of light,
Crawles to maturity,wherewith being crown’d,
Crooked eclipſes gainſt his glory fight,
And time that gaue,doth now his gift confound.
Time doth tranſfixe the floriſh ſet on youth,
And delues the paralels in beauties brow,
Feedes on the rarities of natures truth,
And nothing ſtands but for his ſiethe to mow.
And yet to times in hope,my verſe ſhall ſtand
Praiſing thy worth,diſpight his cruell hand.
See the British Library’s 1609 Quarto.
I agree it was truly entriguing the way in which shakespeare encapsulates the essence of his dispondency something which i can reflect on in my own life as i submerse myself in shakespeare literature, a lone fugitive seeking refuge in my love for pebbled shores. SHAKESPEARE FOREVER XX
I’m always a critic criticizing a critic though I won’t let that stop me. A few phrases make eminent sense to me although panned by Mimi.
These were:
Transfix the flourish set on youth … To me that simply means fewer of those carefree moments of laughter and smiles.
Feeds on the rarities of nature’s truth.. It could mean many things to many people -perhaps a morning of champagne and strawberries – who knows.
I agree Shakespeare may be presented like a character wandering on the main of light like a child alone at sea.
That Italian sonnet sounds great