| SONNET 29 | PARAPHRASE | 
| When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, | When I've fallen out of favor with fortune and men, | 
| I all alone beweep my outcast state | All alone I weep over my position as a social outcast, | 
| And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries, | And pray to heaven, but my cries go unheard, | 
| And look upon myself and curse my fate, | And I look at myself, cursing my fate, | 
| Wishing me like to one more rich in hope, | Wishing I were like one who had more hope, | 
| Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd, | Wishing I looked like him; wishing I were surrounded by friends, | 
| Desiring this man's art and that man's scope, | Wishing I had this man's skill and that man's freedom. | 
| With what I most enjoy contented least; | I am least contented with what I used to enjoy most. | 
| Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising, | But, with these thoughts – almost despising myself, | 
| Haply I think on thee, and then my state, | I, by chance, think of you and then my melancholy | 
| Like to the lark at break of day arising | Like the lark at the break of day, rises | 
| From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate; | From the dark earth and (I) sing hymns to heaven; | 
| For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings | For thinking of your love brings such happiness | 
| That then I scorn to change my state with kings. | That then I would not change my position in life with kings. |