Sweets and Beauties

SONNET 12

When I do count the clock that tells the time,
And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;
When I behold the violet past prime,
And sable curls all silver'd o'er with white;
When lofty trees I see barren of leaves
Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,
And summer's green all girded up in sheaves
Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard,
Then of thy beauty do I question make,
That thou among the wastes of time must go,
Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake
And die as fast as they see others grow;
   And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defence

   Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. 

                 ~William Shakespeare


The chimes of time remind us that that beautiful flowers, animals taking shelter from the heat, and sweets and beauties must eventually pass away and die.  Shakespeare questions this unpleasant part of life. The group I Fagiolini uses the instruments of Shakespeare's time to sing Sonnet 12. Listen to them here:

  https://soundcloud.com/doublemono/when-i-do-count-the-clock

The sonnet is performed on early instruments from the Renaissance period including: Theorbo, Harpsichord, the Lirone (a 13 string cello as played by Leonardo da Vinci) and sung by I Fagiolini.

      

    
When I behold the violet I am happy that such fragrant, sweet smelling flowers exists, however short their appearance. And those who possess great beauty are remembered, not only in the eyes of poets, but survive much deeper in our souls.