1 Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws,
2 And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;
3 Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws,
4 And burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood;
5 Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets,
6 And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time,
7 To the wide world and all her fading sweets;
8 But I forbid thee one most heinous crime:
9 O, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow,
10 Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen;
11 Him in thy course untainted do allow
12 For 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.
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