1. Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea, / But sad mortality o'er-sways their power: i.e., since there is nothing that is not overpowered by inevitable death.

3. with this rage: against this destructive power.

6. wrackful: destructive.

10. from Time's chest: i.e., away from the danger of being locked up in Time's chest.

12. who his spoil of beauty can forbid: who can forbid Time to ravage beauty?

14. black ink: i.e., written words.