Watch: Lin-Manuel Miranda delivers a stirring sonnet at the Tony Awards

At the Tony Awards tonight (June 12), an acceptance speech by Lin-Manuel Miranda might have stolen the show. The Broadway composer-playwright, having just won the award for best original score for the blockbuster musical Hamilton, moved many viewers and audience members with a tribute to his wife and a poetic reflection upon the Orlando shootings.

“Uh, I’m not free-styling. I’m too old,” he said. “I wrote you a sonnet instead…”

My wife’s the reason anything gets done

She nudges me toward promise by degrees

She is a perfect symphony of one

Our son is her most beautiful reprise

We chase the melodies that seem to find us

Until they’re finished songs and start to play

When senseless acts of tragedy remind us

That nothing here is promised, not one day

This show is proof that history remembers

We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger

We rise and fall, and light from dying embers

Remembrances that hope and love last longer

And love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love

Cannot be killed or swept aside

I sing Vanessa’s symphony, Eliza tells her story

Now fill the world with music, love, and pride.

Thank you so much for this.

See his speech here (start at the 1:48 mark):