15
When I consider everything that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; 4
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and check'd e'en by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory; 8
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay,
To change your day of youth to sullied night; 12
And, all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
16
But wherefore do not you a mightier way
Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time?
And fortify yourself in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rime? 4
Now stand you on the top of happy hours,
And many maiden gardens, yet unset,
With virtuous wish would bear you living flowers
Much liker than your painted counterfeit: 8
So should the lines of life that life repair,
Which this Time's pencil, or my pupil pen,
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,
Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. 12
To give away yourself, keeps yourself still;
And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.
4 influence; cf. n.
6 Cheered and check'd: encouraged and repressed
7 Vaunt: exult
at height: when fully developed
8 And wear . . . memory: and outlast the memory of their prime
9 conceit: thought
inconstant stay: transitory state of being
11 debateth: takes counsel with
14 engraft you new: renew your beauty (by my verse)
6 unset: not planted
8 painted counterfeit: portrait
9 lines of life: children
10 Which this . . . pupil pen; cf. n.
11 fair: beauty
13 To give away yourself: to beget children
