sonnet 12

When I do count the clock that tells the time, 

And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;

And see the brave day sunk in hideous night;

When I behold the violet past prime

When I behold the violet past prime,

And sable curls all silver’d o’er with white;

And sable curls all silver’d o’er with white;

When lofty trees I see barren of leaves 

When lofty trees I see barren of leaves 

Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,

Which erst from heat did canopy the herd,

And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves 

And summer’s green all girded up in sheaves 

Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard, 

Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard, 

Then of thy beauty do I question make, 

Then of thy beauty do I question make, 

That thou among the wastes of time must go,

That thou among the wastes of time must go,

Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake

Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake

And die as fast as they see others grow; 

And die as fast as they see others grow; 

And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence

And nothing ‘gainst Time’s scythe can make defence

Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.