1. When in disgrace with Fortune and men's eyes,

2. I all alone beweep my outcast state

3. And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries.

4. And look upon myself and curse my fate.

5. Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

6. Featured like him, like him with friends possess'd,

7. Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,

8. With what I most enjoy contented least,

9. Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

10. Haply I think on thee, and then my state,

11. (Like to the Lark at break of day arising)

12. From sullen earth sings hymns at Heaven's gate;

13. For thy sweet love remember'd such wealth brings

14. That then I scorn to change my state with Kings.

To Change My State with Kings

Dedication: To Elizabeth

Explaining to Elizabeth those moments when he thinks of his lost association to his art and influence, of his utter discontent, he thinks about their once shared love and then he is restored to his rightful “state with kings”.

1^st Quatrain: (1-4)

Telling of how though he suffers his great loss but that it is almost unknown to others. That his appeals for salvation have gone unanswered.

2^nd Quatrain: (5-8)

Wishing he had hope in line 5 as he alludes to Henry having it. Referring to his and Henry's likeness and to his own poor mental state in line 6. Wishing he could possess both his own talent and that of Henry's in line 7. Reflecting on his love for Henry being both his greatest joy and sorrow.

3rd Quatrain: (9-12)

Again Henry providing him his sole comfort. Oxford like the lark the hunted prey of hawks (mostly Merlins a small type of hawk) and soon to die.

couplet (13-14),

How Henry brings wonderful recollections. Again another apt allusion of how Oxford is not amongst kings as he had expected.

Commentary:

Oxford expressing his most heartfelt sorrow and melancholy and almost rises to the level of depression seen in 66. This sonnet is richly biographical in discussing the poet’s “outcast state”. Moreover what is probably most incredible about this sonnet is the almost transparent nature of the language used to express his former hopes, that of being with kings. The talk of the poet cursing his fate is also a very important clue about that the poet has suffered a life event that is very much lacking in any detail of the Stratford man and would have received limited substantiation in Oxford’s life unless we realize the great disappointment of producing a prince that was never recognized. The incorporation of falconry is both emblematic of Oxford the noble who enjoyed falconry but Elizabeth as well who would certainly have understood the reference, she like all sovereigns had a Grand Master of Falconry .

Once again Vendler appears to remove the poet from any participation in the sonnet and appears to view it as an experiment or at least prefers to offer no speculation of what might have motivated poet’s expression of scorn. Certainly no explanation is offered in regard to the couplet’s desire of the poet to change his state with kings.