Episode 21: Your Beauty = Me Speechless

Despite getting a little sidetracked on the musical sound of some words, we hope you enjoy a glimpse into the history of sonneteering that SONNET 106 provides us.

1609 QUARTO                                                                  ACTING CLUES VERSION

When in the Chronicle of wasted time,                             When in the Chronicle of wasted / time,

I see discriptions of the fairest wights,                              I see discriptions of the fairest wights,

And beautie making beautifull old rime,                           And beauty making beautiful old rhyme,

In praise of Ladies dead, and lovely Knights,                    In praise of Ladies dead, and lovely Knights, 

Then in the blazon of sweet beauties best,                         Then in the blazon of sweet beauties best,

Of hand, of foote, of lip, of eye, of brow,                           Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,

I see their antique Pen would have exprest,                        I see their antique Pen would have expressed,

Even such a beauty as you maister now.                             Even such a beauty as you master now.

So all their praises are but prophesies                                 So all their praises are but prophesies

Of this our time, all you prefiguring,                                   Of this our time, all you prefiguring,

And for they look'd but with divining eyes,                        And for they look'd but with divining eyes,

They had not skill enough your worth to sing:                    They had not skill enough your worth to sing:

     For we which now behold these present dayes,                       For we which now behold these present days,

     Have eyes to wonder, but lack toungs to praise.                      Have eyes to wonder, but lack tounges to praise.

Enclosure