
THE SONNETS - by William Shakespeare
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
In these verses the poet wrestles with the fleeting nature of youthful beauty, urging the beloved to think beyond self‑admiration and consider the future. The speaker frames love as a kind of inheritance, a garden that must be tended and passed on, lest all that glitters vanish with the passing season. With vivid imagery of roses, winter, and alchemy, the early lines set a tone both urgent and tender.
The sonnets blend a moral lesson with a personal plea, comparing the act of procreation to a noble exchange that enriches both lover and world. They question whether a life lived only for oneself can truly be called beautiful, and they celebrate the possibility of a legacy that outlives the body. Listeners will find the rhythm of the poetry a gentle reminder that the greatest art is the life we help continue.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (95K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
the Project Gutenberg Shakespeare Team
Release date
1997-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1564–1616
A playwright, poet, and actor from Stratford-upon-Avon, he created characters and lines that have stayed alive for more than four centuries. His stories of love, ambition, jealousy, power, and forgiveness still feel startlingly human.
View all books
by E. (Edith) Nesbit, William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare

by William Shakespeare