When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Quando in disgrazia con la sorte e gli occhi degli uomini, tutto solo piango la mia condizione di esule,

e importuno il sordo paradiso con i miei futili lamenti, e valuto me stesso e maledico il mio fato,

Invidiando chi è più ricco di speranze, immaginandomi bello come lui, attornato da molti amici,

desiderando dell'uno l'arte, dell'altro il potere, minimamente contento di quanto io posseggo;

Quasi disprezzandomi in questi miei pensieri, mi capita talvolta di pensare a te, e allora,

come allodola che si libra all'alba dalla grigia terra, canto inni di gioia alle porte del cielo.

Il ricordo del tuo dolce amore mi riempie di gioia tanto che disprezzo di cambiare il mio stato con un re.

The sonnet is addressed to a young man who feels unlucky in front of destiny.

The speaking voice wishes to be different, he feels inadequate.

He would like to be like someone with good prospects, with a lot of good friends, someone that is more hope full and more skilled than he.

He is desperate but when he thinks of his friend, he remembers his sweet love and then the thought brings such wealth that he refuses to change place even with kings.