William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is considered one of the primary artists in the world. His famous plays, such as Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Othello and others, are still among the most favourite and essential texts for readers. However, Shakespeare is also known as a brilliant poet due to his sonnets. Sonnet 66 is one of the most known poetic works, which still retains its charm and actuality due to its ethical-philosophical and only form.
Sonnet 66
Tired with all these, for restful death I cry,
As to behold desert a beggar born,
And needy nothing trimm’d in jollity,
And purest faith unhappily forsworn,
And gilded honour shamefully misplac’d,
And maiden virtue rudely strumpeted,
And right perfection wrongfully disgrac’d,
And strength by limping sway disabled
And art made tongue-tied by authority,
And folly—doctor-like—controlling skill,
And simple truth miscall’d simplicity,
And captive good attending captain ill:
Tir’d with all these, from these would I be gone,
Save that, to die, I leave my love alone.
Please, also see My Heart’s in the Highlands by Robert Burns