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Sonnet XIX pdf version
 
Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws,1
And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;2
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws,3
And burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood;4
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets,5
And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,6
To the wide world and all her fading sweets;7
But I forbid thee one most heinous crime:8
O, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow,9
Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen;10
Him in thy course untainted do allow11
For beauty's pattern to succeeding men.12
    Yet, do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong,13
    My love shall in my verse ever live young.14