Shakespeare - Matthew Arnold

Shakespeare wrote about what it means to be human in all its dimensions, and this sonnet captures the ineffable grandeur of the Bard's amazing work.  Having watched two incredible Shakespeare productions last weekend, including an absolutely devastating King Lear, I figured now was a good time to post this one!

Shakespeare

Others abide our question. Thou art free.
We ask and ask: Thou smilest and art still,
Out-topping knowledge. For the loftiest hill,
That to the stars uncrowns his majesty,
Planting his steadfast footsteps in the sea,
Making the Heaven of Heavens his dwelling-place,
Spares but the cloudy border of his base
To the foil'd searching of mortality:
And thou, who didst the stars and sunbeams know,
Self-school'd, self-scann'd, self-honour'd, self-secure,
Didst walk on earth unguess'd at. Better so!

All pains the immortal spirit must endure,
All weakness that impairs, all griefs that bow,
Find their sole voice in that victorious brow.