The lark ascending

Sonnet 29
William Shakespeare

When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon my self and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art, and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least,
Yet in these thoughts my self almost despising,
Haply I think of thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate,
    For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings,
    That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

Click here for an audio reading by a Shakespearian robot.

Such an incredible sense of uplifting, with the shift after the eighth line, after that seemingly ever downward direction. I warmly recall a specific piece of music, Vaughn Williams' 'The Lark Ascending,' itself based on a poem. They both have a clear image of a lark so high and free of concern, almost otherworldly, heavenly. And it has an amazing ability to cast away the foulest of moods, from wishing to be almost anyone else to not taking a throne. That such objects of thought exist that can banish such inward focus is great. I know the feeling quite closely and treasure them when they occur, but can not always find them in my times of need.