Sonnet 15

When I consider every thing that grows

Holds in perfection but a little moment;

That this huge stage presenteth naught but shows

Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;

When I perceive that men as plants increase,

Cheered and check’d even by the self-same sky,

Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

And wear their brave state out of memory;

Then the conceit of this inconstant stay

Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay

To change your day of youth to sullied night;

And, all in war with Time for love of you,

As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

When I consider that everything that grows

Holds in its arms no more than an instant—

That this huge world, staging so many plays,

Is swayed by stars, though they keep silent—

When I see how people like pollen scatter,

Connected or crossed under the same sky—

Proud in their youth, though not all who matter

Will be held up so high in memory—

Then, the glory of your ephemeral prime

Setting you rich in youth before my eyes,

I can see war between beauty and time

Would collapse into sunset what once was sunrise,

So I take up arms against time for you,

And to beauty’s losses add loving new.