Shakespearian Sonnets - The Steward's Family

[written_leaves]

Shakespearian sonnets adapted for Denethor and his sons:


To Thyself they are Death-loyal
(based on Shakespeare's Sonnet X)

For shame! Deny that thou bear'st love to any,
Who for thyself are death-loyal, unhesitant.
Grant if thou wilt thou art belov'd of many,
But that thou none lov'st is most evident;
For thou are so possess'd with grieving hate,
That 'gainst thyself thou stick'st not to conspire,
Seeking that beauteous roof to ruinate,
Which to defend should be thy chief desire.
O change thy thought, regaining thy mind!
Shall grief and pride be held, not gentle love?
Be, as his presence is, gracious and kind,
Or, to Gondor at least, wise-hearted prove;

Make thee another choice; remember faith,
That justice still may live, thy grief replace.
-
Shadows of Victory
(based on Sonnet LXI)

Is it thy will thy image should keep open
My heavy eyelids to the weary night?
Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken,
While shadows of victory so mock my fight?
Is it thy spirit that thou send’st from thee
From the halfling’s heart, into my deeds to pry;
To find out shames and desperate hours in me,
The scope and tenor of my jealousy?
O no! thy draw, though much, is not so great;
It is my hope that keeps mine eye awake;
Mine own true desire that doth my rest defeat,
To play the watchman ever for thy sake:

For thee watch I, whilst thou dost wait elsewhere,
Close to my hand, with others all-too-near.
-
How Could I hold Thee to Cause Thy Failing?
(based on Sonnet LXXXVII)

Farewell! thou are too dear for my possessing,
And like enough thou know'st thy estimate:
The testing of my worth gave thee releasing;
Your bonds are freed, to paths determinate.
For how could I hold thee to cause thy failing?
To keep that treasure, where is my deserving?
The use of this fair gift will bring but wailing;
And so my warning heart away is swerving.
Thyself thou gav'st, thy own worth then not knowing,
To this, to whom thou gav'st it, else mistaking;
So thy great gift, despite its power growing,
Comes home again, midst better judgement making.

Thus release it, which in dreams doth flatter,
T'would tempt a king, but, waking, an evil matter.