William Shakespeare wrote over 150 sonnets, covering such themes as the passage of time, love, beauty and mortality. Not every of his sonnet is a classic, but his best are exquisitely touching. Sonnet 18 for example has one of the most famous opening lines in all English verse, “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”

Sonnet 18 – read by Scottish actor and voice actor, David Tenant.

The sonnet in song, sung by British singer, David Gilmour.