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Sonnet 36
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 37
As a decrepit father takes delight To see his active child do deeds of youth, So I, made lame by fortune’s dearest spite, Take all my comfort of thy worth and truth. For whether beauty, birth, or wealth, or wit, Or any of these all, or all, or more, Entitled in thy parts do crownèd sit, I make my love engrafted to this store. So then I am not lame, poor, nor despised, Whilst that this shadow doth such substance give That I in thy abundance am sufficed, And by a part of all thy glory live. Look what is best, that best I wish in thee. This wish I have; then ten times happy me.
As a feeble old father is happy
To see his active child do youthful things,
I too, disabled by the most severe spite of fortune,
Take all my comfort from your worth and truth.
Regardless of whether beauty, class, money, or cleverness,
Any one of these, or all of them, or other things,
Are the king of your qualities,
I graft my love onto your store of virtues.
So then I am not lame, poor, or hated,
While your image enriches me so much
So that I am satisfied by your richness,
And can live off just a part of your glory.
Whatever is best, I wish that you can possess it.
This is my wish. Its fulfillment makes me ten times happier.
