SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS RE-DONE consists of all 154 of the sonnets William Shakespeare sent down to us; however, those items have been given some evident rewritings -- between ‘translations’ and ‘adaptations’. Stylistic compromises infest the now perhaps final versions. For instance, some definite splittings of infinitives and some very findable examples of the expletive ‘there’ and the expletive ‘it’--along with such probably major solecisms as Enjambment--might be seen as real detractors. After an Editorial While had elapsed a giving up occurred. [Bruce Hamilton had intended to reduce to zero the occurrences of the word “wow,” but he somehow retained all such occurrences.] SHAKESPEARE’S SONNETS RE-DONE reflects an abiding wish to produce highly accessible Modern Versions of Shakespeare’s ‘originals.’
Shakespeare’s Sonnet #1
[Redone by Bruce Hamilton]
All beauty, we believe, should multiply,
since thus its every fragrance might endure
eternally, not have to fade and die
without such progeny as keep life pure.
Yet, you, so much in love with your own eyes,
feed your fine flame with nothing but yourself
and thus bode famine where abundance lies --
as if to stick all beauty on a shelf.
You, who right now are truth’s main ornament
and life’s main augurer of one more spring,
within your own bud seem intransigent
in your desire to blast all blossoming.
Pity the world, or else let gluttony
so rule you you unhinge eternity.
Shakespeare’s Sonnet #2
[Redone by Bruce Hamilton]
When forty winters have besieged your brow
and dug deep trenches in your beauty’s field,
your youthful finery, so admired right now,
will be a tattered rag that looks congealed.
Then, if you’re asked where all your beauty lies
(the treasure of your long-lost lusty days),
to say, "It’s all within your deep-sunk eyes,"
will be unuseful shame and useless praise.
Far better praise would it then be that your
eternal beauty had brought forth a child
whose qualities so well might serve to cure
all future ills life couldn’t feel defiled.
Thus, you’d be so new-made when you’d grown old
your blood might never have to grow quite cold.
