| Translation and Analysis of Sonnet XIX |
|
| SONNET 19 |
| Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion's paws, |
| And make the earth devour her own sweet brood; |
| Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws, |
| And burn the long-lived phoenix in her blood; |
| Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets, |
| And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time, |
| To the wide world and all her fading sweets; |
| But I forbid thee one most heinous crime: |
| O, carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow, |
| Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen; |
| Him in thy course untainted do allow |
| For beauty's pattern to succeeding men. |
| Yet, do thy worst, old Time: despite thy wrong, |
| My love shall in my verse ever live young. |
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