The Notorious Soliloquy

I came across a website (ROYAL FRONTIER) that managed to completely translate Biggies song "Juicy" to Shakespearean language. They did so incredibly well I wanted to make sure some more people saw it. I love the idea of having interests that cross  many different arts. The people willing to be as open minded are good people to be around. Follow them on twitter.

Shakespeare                              

Biggie

It was all a dream

I used to read Word Up magazine

Salt'n'Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine

Hangin' pictures on my wall

Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl

I let my tape rock 'til my tape pop

Smokin' weed and bamboo, sippin' on private stock

Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack

With the hat to match

Remember Rappin' Duke, duh-ha, duh-ha

You never thought that hip hop would take it this far

Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight

Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade

Born sinner, the opposite of a winner

Remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner

Peace to Ron G, Brucey B, Kid Capri

Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky

I'm blowin' up like you thought I would

Call the crib, same number same hood

It's all good

Uh, and if you don't know, now you know, nigga, uh

You know very well who you are

Don't let em hold you down, reach for the stars

You had a goal, but not that many

'cause you're the only one I'll give you good and plenty

I made the change from a common thief

To up close and personal with Robin Leach

And I'm far from cheap, I smoke skunk with my peeps all day

Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way

The Moet and Alize keep me pissy

Girls used to diss me

Now they write letters 'cause they miss me

I never thought it could happen, this rappin' stuff

I was too used to packin' gats and stuff

Now honies play me close like butter played toast

From the Mississippi down to the east coast

Condos in Queens, indo for weeks

Sold out seats to hear Biggie Smalls speak

Livin' life without fear

Puttin' 5 karats in my baby girl's ear

Lunches, brunches, interviews by the pool

Considered a fool 'cause I dropped out of high school

Stereotypes of a black male misunderstood

And it's still all good

Uh...and if you don't know, now you know, nigga

Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis

When I was dead broke, man I couldn't picture this

50 inch screen, money green leather sofa

Got two rides, a limousine with a chauffeur

Phone bill about two G's flat

No need to worry, my accountant handles that

And my whole crew is loungin'

Celebratin' every day, no more public housin'

Thinkin' back on my one-room shack

Now my mom pimps a Ac' with minks on her back

And she loves to show me off, of course

Smiles every time my face is up in The Source

We used to fuss when the landlord dissed us

No heat, wonder why Christmas missed us

Birthdays was the worst days

Now we sip champagne when we thirst-ay

Uh, damn right I like the life I live

'Cause I went from negative to positive

And it's all...

Twas but a dream sowed by antique texts —

Two delicious spices, one well fed man

United in an opulent carriage.

I decorated my dwelling with art

To honor those whose station I hope’d to

Achieve. Thus, I play’d ’til I could no more,

Focus’d, pausing only for herb and ale.

I cringe at old, ashamed memories

And the period of darkness before,

But remembrance reminds me of my quest.

How far I have come! My dream fulfilled.

Strangers surround me and praise my talents

And I enjoy rewards once so foreign.

As my fame grows, so too does my ledger.

A victim of Eve’s curse, I struggl’d for

Sorry scraps that men of fortune ignore.

Yet, despite my desperate beginnings,

Sage prophets forecasted my future feats.

Their faith inspired me to persevere.

Now, though I have fulfill’d my potential,

I embrace my origin. I am well.

If thou were unsure, thou knowest now, Moor.

To thine own self be true, a wise man said.

Free from binds to step galliards in the stars.

Let nothing interfere with thine crusade.

Once devoted, thou shalt win thine rewards

My fortune keeps an upward course, from thief

To gossip’s feasts among noble masters.

I stay generous and share my pleasures

With my whole flock so that they may partake

In the true-hearted spirit of our town.

In a pickle from mead and Canary,

Thinking of impudent maidens who burn’d

me but now yearn and compose me sonnets.

Poesy craft hath rescued a rotten life

Mired in infamy and violence.

Gamesters press me close as toasts-and-butter

From the Thames clear through to blanched Dover.

I repair to my mansion, contented,

While the vulgar visit that I may recite

To public ear in firm security.

Yea, my cherish’d daughter sparkles with spoils

As I grant favors beside sapphire pool.

Maligned for supposed ignorance!

E’er unheeded for my begrimed face,

Anointed majesty, a lord, His Grace.

To thine own self be true, a wise man said.

Free from binds to step galliards in the stars

Let nothing interfere with thine crusade

Once devoted, thou shalt win thine rewards

I pass time with billiards, primero, trump,

Such fanciful pursuits I never dreamt.

I sit in the wings above the groundlings

Atop fine leathern cushions of em’rald.

Two carriages of liberal conceit

At my service, plus my swift messengers,

Cost a purse, which, yea, needn’t trouble me.

My devoted brood repose as gentry.

Each day a high festival honoring

Our ascent from terrible wretchedness.

My mother, richly suited in fin’ry,

Is now a proud and doting courtier

Who trods on those to whom we were but soil

Fit only for paying tribute to them.

Woeful Christmas. No pagentry indeed.

We spirit our blood with fine wine from France

Remembering past, savoring present