Shakespeare, sonnet 27

Sonnet 27

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;

But then begins a journey in my head,

To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired:

For then my thoughts (from far where I abide)

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

Looking on darkness which the blind do see:

Save that my soul’s imaginary sight

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

Makes black night beauteous and her old face new.

Lo, thus, by day my limbs, by night my mind,

For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.

Julius Caesar

CALPHURNIA
When beggars die there are no comets seen.
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

CAESAR
Cowards die many times before their deaths.
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear,
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.

***

-Modern text-

CALPHURNIA

When beggars die there are no comets in the sky. 
The heavens only announce the deaths of princes.

CAESAR

Cowards die many times before their deaths. 
The brave experience death only once. 
Of all the strange things I’ve ever heard, 
It seems most strange to me that men fear death, 
Given that death, which can’t be avoided, will come whenever it wants.