Sonnet 19: Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws

1Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws,

2And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;

3Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws,

4And burn the long-liv'd phoenix, in her blood;

5Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets,

6And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,

7To the wide world and all her fading sweets;

8But I forbid thee one most heinous crime:

9O! carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow,

10Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen;

11Him in thy course untainted do allow

12For beauty's pattern to succeeding men.

13 Yet, do thy worst old Time: despite thy wrong,

14 My love shall in my verse ever live young.