Union Jack

     English Wordplay ~ Listen and Enjoy


Previous Sonnet

Sonnet 53

One year in Shakespeare's Life in London

Charles Nicholl's The Lodger, Shakespeare on Silver Street: Shakespeare may be referring to his landlady, Marie Mountjoy's profession as a hairdresser and 'Grecian tire' could refer to clothes or headgear.

Read by Claire Marchionne




What is your substance, whereof are you made,
That millions of strange shadows on you tend?
Since every one, hath every one, one shade,
And you but one, can every shadow lend.
Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit
Is poorly imitated after you;
On Helen's cheek all art of beauty set,
And you in Grecian tires are painted new: 
Speak of the spring, and foison of the year,
The one doth shadow of your beauty show,
The other as your bounty doth appear;
And you in every blessed shape we know.
  In all external grace you have some part,
  But you like none, none you, for constant heart.
click here to buy full recording
Click here for
for special offers

Next Sonnet

Introduction to the Sonnets

Home Page


The following are some books we particularly recommend