Hello Everyone!
On the occasion of Shakespeare’s 450th birthday I’m offering my second sonnet as a tribute to the greatest poet of all times. To further celebrate his birthday tell me what
your favourite Shakespeare’s quotation is. I’d love to hear from you.
A word unkind inflames a hurt malign
That lingers in the heart for days and nights.
O Revenge! Come hither, give me a sign.
Shall I whet the sabre for the fights?
‘Hear me, wounded soul! These are my wares:
You strike them hard and strike them fast! Cut off
The brazen, wicked tongue that hurts and spares
No one, the weapon unable to further scoff.
Depart from me, you spiteful spook! ‘Tis not
By wounding the wounded heart improves; to hurt
Another would hurt me too; a peaceful plot
I choose – much finer tactics than vengeful dirt.
To forgive unkindness bestows a golden gift
On the one offended and the one who caused the rift.
© 2013 Irina Dimitric
Irina's Poetry Corner 
‘Tis a gift to forgive but so much easier said than done. You put it well.
Thanks, Benita, for reading and commenting. True, it’s not always easy, but you feel so much better when you forgive.
I would like to say that, generally, forgiving and sometimes even understanding, is in my nature. Lovely work Irina.
You are a beautiful soul, Pam. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
…and “Forgiveness not immediately sought becomes really hard to ask.” Love the couplet at the end of the sonnet. Lovely reminder!
Thanks for reading and for your thoughtful and lovely comment.
Much Ado About Nothing says it all for me.
True, we sometimes fret too much over trifles. Thanks for contributing this great quote!
So lovely to read your sonnet – you do Shakespeare proud here! Here’s a great Shakespeare quote: “The object of art is to give life a shape.”
I’m glad I didn’t disappoint you, Christy. Thank you so much for your encouraging comment and the great quote. xx
Irina.
Congratulations, that was beautiful.
I love the third stanza. The last couplet is marvellous too.
Brilliant tribute my friend!
As to my favorite quote by Shakespeare well that´s hard to say… For the moment I would pick up this one:
“We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep”.
William Shakespeare. “The Tempest” Act 4, scene 1}
Best wishes, always, Aquileana 😉
Thank you so much, my friend, for your most encouraging comment. I do appreciate it.
The quote you offered is beautiful and it reminded me of the time when in the 1980s I was Stephano, the drunken butler, in Aimé Césaire’s Une Tempête set in Haiti, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest dealing with post-colonialism. This was a great role; it was such fun to play a drunk. 🙂 The 80s were one of the best times for me regarding a creative expression I loved – the stage. I had major roles in quite a few plays presented by Alliance Française de Sydney.
Have a great week. Hugs 🙂 Irina
What a wonderful experience dear Irina… And how nice that you have had major roles in some pieces… But I guess they were in english, despite being presented by l’Alliance Française , am I right?
Best wishes and I hope you also have a great week ahead.
Hugs, Aquileana 🙂
No, no, they were in French. That was the beauty of it. I was teaching French at the time, so that particular play was part of the French High School curriculum. The theatre was packed with students and teachers. I had a pretty good accent and the French never knew I wasn’t French, they just wondered what region of France I was from. 🙂
I haven’t spoken it much since my retirement in 1993. I should talk to myself!!! 🙂 I do listen to French radio, though.
‘The quality of mercy is not strain’d,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes….’
I love the gentleness in these lines and wish for the reality of the words among people.
Your tribute is beautiful. Really worthy of the bard.x
Oh, yes, the bard’s words are so very gentle, spoken by gentle Portia. Thanks for reminding me of The Merchant of Venice and for offering these beautiful lines.
And I’m so glad you think my sonnet is worthy of the bard. Much appreciated. xx
I’ve only braved the sonnet form once. One of my favorite quotes from Shakespeare comes from Polonius says to Hamlet, “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.”
Thanks for dropping by, Jeri. Oh, I love the quote you contributed. Thank you so much.
Unhand that saber you cad
Tis not a foe you face
But a boy of tender years
What think thou
That the saber be drawn ?